1. Inclusive Education in Australia. Is it possible?
The title of the paper linked with this presentation is:
Taking the Next Step
in Overcoming the Obstacles of Effective Inclusive Education in Australia
Presentation by
Kerryn Hukkinen

2. Obstacles of inclusive education in Australia.
Competitive School Market
The Australian National Curriculum
Additional Responsibilities
3. A Competitive School Market undermines inclusive education.
4. The Australian National Curriculum supports both equality and excellence
. . . ACARA . . . will produce advice about using the curriculum to address the diversity of student learning. (ACARA, 2011, para 1)
Will it be enough?
5. Additional Responsibilities make inclusion difficult.
Frustrated
Accountability
Lack of Time
Exhausted
Confused
Supervision
Guilty
Professional competence
Balancing Needs
Support Personnel
Behaviour Problems
6. For Australia to take the next step teachers need to be supported.
7. Will Australia be able to overcome the obstacles?
Only if changes are made
8. Finland has a different approach and is having amazing success.
Result:
Little difference in high achievement regardless
of socioeconomic factors.
9. Finlands part time special education program all the difference
Result:
Currently the number of children attending full time special schools is decreasing.
10. Funding and assistance for all students who struggle regardless of diagnosis
Further release time for all teachers
Reduce class sizes
Policies and Practices need to align with both equality and excellence
Recommendations so Australia can achieve both equality and excellence.
11. Our whole system here is all about inclusivity . . . all our kids have special needs. . . Theres very few of our kids who dont have some kind of special need, even though they might not fit into a funding box. (Graham & Spandagou, 2011, p. 227)
Inclusive education in Australia not if things dont change.
The title of the paper linked with this presentation is:
Taking the Next Step
in Overcoming the Obstacles of Effective Inclusive Education in Australia
12. References
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2011). Diversity of learners [Information Sheet]. Retrieved from http://www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_ Sheet_Diversity_of_learners.pdf
Brackenreed, D. (2008). Inclusive education: Identifying teachers' perceived stressors in inclusive classrooms. Exceptionality Education Canada, 18(3), 131-147. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.usq.edu.au/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=11&hid= 127&sid=99c291c9-b306-4c0b-8640-7426cb4ca396%40sessionmgr114
Bourke, P. (2010). Inclusive education reform in Queensland: implications for policy and practice. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 14(2), 183-193. doi:10.1080/13603 110802504200
Dare to be Different [Image]. (2011). Retrieved from http://smashfly.files.wordpress. com/2011/08/success.jpg
Florian, L., & Linklater, H. (2010). Preparing teachers for inclusive education: using inclusive pedagogy to enhance teaching and learning for all. Cambridge Journal of Education, 40(4), 369-386. doi: 10.1080/030576 4X.2010.526588
Forlin, C. (2001). Inclusion: identifying potential stressors for regular class teachers. Educational Research, 43(3), 235-245. doi: 10.1080/0013188011008101 7
Graham, L.J., & Jahnukainen, M. (2011). Wherefore art thou, inclusion? Analysing the development of inclusive education in New South Wales, Alberta and Finland. Journal of Education Policy, 26(2), 263-288. doi:10.1080/02680939.2010. 493230
Graham, L., & Spandagou, I. (2011). From vision to reality: views of primary school principals on inclusive education in New South Wales, Australia. Disability & Society, 26(2), 223-237. doi:10.1080/09687599.2011. 544062
Taking the Next Step in Overcoming the Obstacles of Effective Inclusive Education in Australia
13. References
Halinen, I., & Jrvinen, R. (2008). Towards inclusive education: the case of Finland. Prospects, (Preprints), 1-21. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Kennedy, K. (2008). A national curriculum for the twenty first century: What do Susan Ryan, John Dawkins and Julia Gillard have in common. [National Curriculum Symposium]. Retrieved 10 September, 2011 from http://www. mean jin.edu.au/pdfs/National_Curriculum_Symposium_12_Dec_2008.pdf
Lindsay, K. (2004). Asking for the moon? A critical assessment of Australian disability discrimination laws in promoting inclusion for students with disabilities. Inclusive Education, 8(4), 373-390. doi: 10.1080/13603 110410001678125
Odd One Out [Image]. Retrieved from http://blog.scraam.co.uk/wp-content/ gallery/bold_wallpapers/odd_one_out.jpg
Savolainen, H. (2009). Responding to diversity and striving for excellence: The case of Finland. Prospects (00331538), 39(3), 281-292. doi:10.1007/s11125-009-9125-y
Success [Image]. Retrieved from http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_b4wTVjgissI/ TFPx_zFIjII/AAAAAAAAAJ4/FW71cGio1bg/s1600/Dare+to+be+different.jpg
Westwood, P., & Graham, L.(2003). Inclusion of students with special needs: Benefits and obstacles perceived by teachers in New South Wales and South Australia. Australian Journal of Learning Disabilities, 8(1), 3-15. doi: 10.1080/19404150309546718
Taking the Next Step in Overcoming the Obstacles of Effective Inclusive Education in Australia
14. Inclusive Education