A review into special education in New Zealand has been welcomed by Sara Cohen School principal Raewyn Alexander, who hopes for an increase in parental choice in the sector.
Associate Minister of Education Heather Roy has initiated the review to determine what works in special education.
While it will be a broad exploration, it is underpinned by principles about reaching potential, access to resources and services, value for money, choice and parental involvement.
The first phase, under way at the moment, is looking at access to, and allocation of, special education funding and services and how the additional $51 million allocated in the Budget will be implemented. Phase two, which will start later this year, will look at issues relating to workforce, transitions, service development, integration and collaboration.
Mrs Alexander described the review as " positive" and is encouraged by Mrs Roy's position on parental choice.
"It's important to get the parental voice out there."
She would also like her school, like state schools, to be able to enrol its own pupils. At present, pupils must meet the requirements of section nine of the Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing scheme which must be approved by the Ministry of Education.
This allows children to be enrolled in a special school, rather than attend their neighbourhood school.
She would also like to have special schools to gain control of their finances.
Full funding status would allow the school to employ its own therapists and make transportation easier for pupils and their families who rely on funding to get their children to and from school.
A public consultation document is expected to be released in November.
