Many times we hear Labour State governments, especially in Victoria, slagging off that they are the only ones who care about education, and that it is the Liberal govts that tear education down. The following is a case where it was this Victorian Labour Govt, both Bracks & Brumby, that has severely let down 1,000s of Victoriam students by directly changing the special assistance grants to disabled children. This was a grant that was in place and upheld by the previous Kennet Liberal govt.
The "let down" is so bad that Victorian courts have awarded this one student $80,000 in compensation and put a demand order that the Victorian Educational Department immediately provide her with special assistance.
"Shame Bracks & Brumby, Shame!"
That'll teach you — student wins payout
Bridie Smith
February 8, 2008
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/thatll-teach-you--student-wins-payout/2008/02/07/1202234066300.html
REBEKAH Turner, the student who won a landmark discrimination case against the Education Department, has been awarded more than $80,000 compensation in a tribunal ruling likely to spark a flood of claims.
A Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal judgement, handed down by the tribunal's deputy president Cate McKenzie yesterday, has already led to calls for a review of government funding for students with speech and language difficulties.
In addition to compensation, the Education Department was ordered to provide 16-year-old Rebekah, who has a severe language disorder and learning disability, with a full-time teacher's aide, remedial tuition and an individual learning plan for the rest of her time at school. The assistance must be in place by February 21.
Rebekah said she was thrilled with the result, adding that having a classroom aide to take notes for her would allow her to listen more closely to teachers as she embarks on her VCE.
"Getting the help at school is really important because already this year work is starting to pile up because I don't understand it," she said. "Having the help in the classroom will be the best bit as they will be able to help me with what is to be done and what the teacher has said."
Rebekah plans to complete her VCE over three years and hopes to train as a special education teacher.
Last May the tribunal found the Education Department discriminated against Rebekah, now in year 11 at Ringwood Secondary College, by failing to provide a teaching aide and other classroom assistance, which she had applied for since 1999 but never received. The department appealed against the decision, but it was dismissed.
Yesterday's finding was also critical of Ringwood Secondary College, which the tribunal said continued to discriminate against Rebekah, even after last May's judgement.
The department was ordered to pay Rebekah $82,000 in compensation for failing to provide assistance, which "limited her participation and access to the curriculum … and diminished her opportunity to obtain successful education outcomes".
The decision is a blow to the Government, which is battling to defend its language support program after changes were made to eligibility criteria in 2005.
The Education Department's own figures show that thousands of students with language disorders, who had received individual funding before 2005, now miss out.
In 2005, 6760 students were funded under language disorder categories. That number fell dramatically to 208 in 2006 and increased only marginally to 219 last year. The department yesterday said it could not say how many students were funded under language disorder categories this year, as funding now went directly to schools rather than students.
But while critics concede that the 6760 students who received funding in 2006 reflected a blow-out, serious concerns about the severity of the new requirements remain.
Speech Pathology Australia yesterday called for an urgent review of funding for speech pathology services, with several thousand Victorian students struggling with speech and language difficulties.
Shadow education minister Martin Dixon said Rebekah's case represented "a systemic failure rather than an individual one" because not one of the four state schools she attended granted her the assistance she needed.
"Rebekah is unfortunately one of a number of students let down by the State Government in Victorian schools over a number of years," he said. "But there's no time for excuses now."
He said yesterday's finding would likely spark a rash of complaints against the department, with the decision likely to be regarded as a precedent by thousands of families who have a child with a disability.
Access Law anti-discrimination consultant Julie Phillips, for Rebekah, said yesterday's result was bittersweet for her.
"Even upon winning her case at VCAT last May, support from the department has not been forthcoming … However, she is very excited at the prospect of receiving the help she needs and she starts her VCE this year absolutely determined to succeed."
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike yesterday referred comment to Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand. A spokeswoman for Ms Morand said she would not comment while the case was subject to appeal.
The Education Department said it was considering its response to the decision. Last year the department allocated more than $33 million to support students with language difficulties. (Yes, but what was the figure before you put in the cuts, Bronnie! Bronwyn Pike the most useless Minister in the history of Victorian politics.)
This is another case of Victoria's infrastructure breaking down under this Labout Govt.
If it's not Water, Roads, Public Transport, now it is Labour Party fundamentals like education.
The "let down" is so bad that Victorian courts have awarded this one student $80,000 in compensation and put a demand order that the Victorian Educational Department immediately provide her with special assistance.
"Shame Bracks & Brumby, Shame!"
That'll teach you — student wins payout
Bridie Smith
February 8, 2008
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/thatll-teach-you--student-wins-payout/2008/02/07/1202234066300.html
REBEKAH Turner, the student who won a landmark discrimination case against the Education Department, has been awarded more than $80,000 compensation in a tribunal ruling likely to spark a flood of claims.
A Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal judgement, handed down by the tribunal's deputy president Cate McKenzie yesterday, has already led to calls for a review of government funding for students with speech and language difficulties.
In addition to compensation, the Education Department was ordered to provide 16-year-old Rebekah, who has a severe language disorder and learning disability, with a full-time teacher's aide, remedial tuition and an individual learning plan for the rest of her time at school. The assistance must be in place by February 21.
Rebekah said she was thrilled with the result, adding that having a classroom aide to take notes for her would allow her to listen more closely to teachers as she embarks on her VCE.
"Getting the help at school is really important because already this year work is starting to pile up because I don't understand it," she said. "Having the help in the classroom will be the best bit as they will be able to help me with what is to be done and what the teacher has said."
Rebekah plans to complete her VCE over three years and hopes to train as a special education teacher.
Last May the tribunal found the Education Department discriminated against Rebekah, now in year 11 at Ringwood Secondary College, by failing to provide a teaching aide and other classroom assistance, which she had applied for since 1999 but never received. The department appealed against the decision, but it was dismissed.
Yesterday's finding was also critical of Ringwood Secondary College, which the tribunal said continued to discriminate against Rebekah, even after last May's judgement.
The department was ordered to pay Rebekah $82,000 in compensation for failing to provide assistance, which "limited her participation and access to the curriculum … and diminished her opportunity to obtain successful education outcomes".
The decision is a blow to the Government, which is battling to defend its language support program after changes were made to eligibility criteria in 2005.
The Education Department's own figures show that thousands of students with language disorders, who had received individual funding before 2005, now miss out.
In 2005, 6760 students were funded under language disorder categories. That number fell dramatically to 208 in 2006 and increased only marginally to 219 last year. The department yesterday said it could not say how many students were funded under language disorder categories this year, as funding now went directly to schools rather than students.
But while critics concede that the 6760 students who received funding in 2006 reflected a blow-out, serious concerns about the severity of the new requirements remain.
Speech Pathology Australia yesterday called for an urgent review of funding for speech pathology services, with several thousand Victorian students struggling with speech and language difficulties.
Shadow education minister Martin Dixon said Rebekah's case represented "a systemic failure rather than an individual one" because not one of the four state schools she attended granted her the assistance she needed.
"Rebekah is unfortunately one of a number of students let down by the State Government in Victorian schools over a number of years," he said. "But there's no time for excuses now."
He said yesterday's finding would likely spark a rash of complaints against the department, with the decision likely to be regarded as a precedent by thousands of families who have a child with a disability.
Access Law anti-discrimination consultant Julie Phillips, for Rebekah, said yesterday's result was bittersweet for her.
"Even upon winning her case at VCAT last May, support from the department has not been forthcoming … However, she is very excited at the prospect of receiving the help she needs and she starts her VCE this year absolutely determined to succeed."
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike yesterday referred comment to Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand. A spokeswoman for Ms Morand said she would not comment while the case was subject to appeal.
The Education Department said it was considering its response to the decision. Last year the department allocated more than $33 million to support students with language difficulties. (Yes, but what was the figure before you put in the cuts, Bronnie! Bronwyn Pike the most useless Minister in the history of Victorian politics.)
This is another case of Victoria's infrastructure breaking down under this Labout Govt.
If it's not Water, Roads, Public Transport, now it is Labour Party fundamentals like education.
