In the unit "Students with Special Needs", pre-service teachers gain awareness of their professional obligations, roles and responsibilities in relation to the Disability Standards for Education and the way that these standards inform policy and procedures for meeting the needs of students with disabilities in inclusive school settings. They build knowledge of the definitions and criteria used to categorise disabilities in educational environments and explore the concept of “person first” approaches to meeting the needs of learners with disability in the middle years of schooling. Students take an holistic view of supporting the access and participation of learners with special needs and evaluate specific differentiation, accommodation and management strategies to make recommendations that support inclusion, wellbeing, safety and learning of all students in inclusive mainstream settings. They research and document examples of good practice for consulting with students, parents, specialist services and wider community support agencies and demonstrate knowledge of how to access and facilitate partnerships that improve the educational outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from SUTE, email and forum comments

Unit content

Continue to emphasise the links between theory, legislative or policy requirements and practical aspects of the content.

Feedback from SUTE, email and forum comments

Assignment requirements

Continue to refine explanations and supplied resources connected with the assignments.

Feedback from SUTE, email and forum comments

Interaction with teaching team

Continue to respond to forum and email messages as promptly as practical. Encourage teaching team to also do this.