Special Education Needs
Supporting teachers of students with special education needs
FAQs K–6
- Are there separate syllabuses for students with special education needs in K–6?
- Are there materials to assist in programming for students with special education needs in K–6?
- Are there Life Skills outcomes and content for students in primary school?
- Can a student with special education needs work towards different stage outcomes to the rest of their class?
- How do the foundation statements assist in planning for students with special education needs?
- Are special provisions available to students with special education needs for the NAPLAN tests?
- Should students with special education needs be graded from A–E?
- Are there separate syllabuses for students with special education needs in K–6?
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No, students with special education needs in primary school work towards the outcomes and content in the Board's K–6 syllabuses for English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and Its Environment, Creative Arts and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education. However, some students with special education needs may require additional support and/or adjustments to enable them to access class work and/or demonstrate achievement of syllabus outcomes.
To download copies of the K–6 syllabuses, go to the Board of Studies K–6 website.
- Are there materials to assist in programming for students with special education needs in K–6?
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Yes, the Board has produced support documents that assist teachers in programming for students with special education needs in the key learning areas of English, PDHPE and HSIE. They are available on the Board's K–6 website:
- English Key Learning Area Interim Support Document: Communication (1997)
- English K–6 Literacy Interim Support Document for Students Experiencing Learning Difficulties (1997)
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K–6: Support Document for Students with Special Education Needs (1999)
- Human Society and Its Environment K–6 Support Document for Students with Special Education Needs (2000)
- Mathmatics K–6 Support Document for Students with Special Education Needs (2008)
- Are there Life Skills outcomes and content for students in primary school?
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No, all students work towards the outcomes and content of the K–6 syllabuses.
- Can a student with special education needs work towards different stage outcomes to the rest of their class?
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Yes, teachers should select and use syllabus outcomes and content that best suits the learning needs of each student.
- How do the foundation statements assist in planning for students with special education needs?
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The foundation statements emphasise the fundamental skills needed at and beyond school, particularly in literacy and numeracy. They highlight the most important learning for students.
The foundation statements set out a clear picture of the knowledge, skills and understanding that each student should develop at each stage of primary school.
- Are special provisions available to students with special education needs for the NAPLAN tests?
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Yes, special provisions are available to meet the needs of individual students with special education needs for the NAPLAN tests.
The NAPLAN tests for primary school students are conducted in Years 3 and 5, and are coordinated by NSW Test Administration Authorities. For more information about special provisions for the NAPLAN tests, contact the appropriate Test Administration Authority.
- Should students with special education needs be graded from A–E?
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This is a school/systems issue. You should ask your Principal or system representative about this. It may be appropriate to report against outcomes or goals as identified in their Individual Plan for some students with special education needs.
Further information on assessment and reporting is available on the Assessment Resource Centre website.