Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-30T21:07:32.183Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Exceptional students in Queensland catholic schools: Prevalence, priorities and future directions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2016

Mark G. Quinn
Affiliation:
Catholic Education Office, Brisbane
William F. Suitmann
Affiliation:
Catholic Education Office, Brisbane
John Elkins
Affiliation:
The Fred and Eleanor Schonell Educational Research Centre, University of Queensland

Extract

A survey of the prevalence and needs of exceptional students was carried out in Queensland Catholic primary (n = 195) and secondary (n = 40) schools. Within the overall population surveyed 3.13% possessed disabilities, 3.83% behavioural difficulties, 4.19% advanced learning characteristics, and 12.80% learning difficulties. The survey indicated that support services fell short of the demand, particularly for students with behavioural difficulties and those considered to be advanced learners. The data obtained was of the same order as that found in other state, national and international studies. The majority of principals and teachers interviewed held positive attitudes towards integration. However, this was qualified by a strong press for additional professional support, inservice training, and resources to enable the necessary enhancement of the educational experiences being offered. The survey identified a continuing need for communication and cooperation with state and private agencies and the desirability of developing a system which marshalls the available resources, both regular and special, into an efficient and feasible service delivery operation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Australian Association of Special Education 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Andrews, R.J., Elkins, J., Berry, P.B., & Burge, J.A. (1979). A survey of special education in Australia. Brisbane: Schonell Educational Research Centre, University of Queensland.Google Scholar
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (1982). Handicapped persons in Australia, 1981. Cat. No. 43430. Canberra: author.Google Scholar
Bintig, A. (1981). Statistics of handicapped persons in Europe: An international comparison. International Journal of Learning Disabilities, 4, 315–323.Google ScholarPubMed
Board of Teacher Education Queensland. (1987). Project 21: Teachers for the twenty-first century. Toowong, Queensland: author.Google Scholar
Booth, T. (1981). Demystifying integration. In Swann, W. (Ed.), The practice of special education. London: Open University.Google Scholar
Burge, J.A. (1984). Estimating prevalence of handicapped children for planning special education services in Queensland. Unpublished master’s thesis. University of Queensland.Google Scholar
Casey, E.P. (1981). Survey of handicapped children in Catholic regular schools in Victoria, 1979. Unpublished master’s thesis, Monash University, Melbourne.Google Scholar
Condon, M. (1984). Special education: A Catholic perspective (Series: Perspectives in Catholic Education 1). Canberra: National Catholic Education Commission.Google Scholar
Dunn, L.M. (Ed.). (1973). Exceptional children in the schools: Special education in transition. (2nd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.Google Scholar
Education Act Amendment Act. (1984, No.2.). Brisbane: Queensland Government Printer.Google Scholar
Elkins, J. (1987, July). Achieving the responsive school. Address presented at the Queensland Catholic Special Education Conference, Brisbane.Google Scholar
Gallagher, J.J. (1985). The prevalence of mental retardation: Cross-cultural considerations from Sweden and the United States. Intelligence, 9, 97–108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gipps, C. & Goldstein, H. (1984). Twenty per cent with special educational needs: Another legacy from Cyril Burt? (Occasional Paper No 2). London: Institute of Education, University of London.Google Scholar
Hayes, A., (1987). Reflections on two recent U.S. Conferences. Board of Educational and Developmental Psychologists (Queensland section) Newsletter, 2 (3), 4.Google Scholar
Heward, W.L., & Orlansky, M.D. (1984). Exceptional children: An introductory survey of special education (2nd ed.). Columbus: Charles E. Merrill.Google Scholar
Lovitt, T.C. (1982). Because of my persistence, I’ve learned from children. Columbus: Charles E. Merrill.Google Scholar
Miller, S.F. (1977). Mainstreaming - the literature viewpoint (Research Bulletin No 8). Brisbane: Department of Education.Google Scholar
Richardson, B.E. (1982). Special education may be too special. Australian Journal of Special Education, 6 (2), 3740.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sultmann, W.F., & Williams, E.M., (1987 July). Guidance services in systemic archdiocesan Catholic schools. Paper presented at Queensland Guidance Officer’s Association Conference.Google Scholar
Victorian Education Department. (1984). Integration in Victorian Education (Report of the ministerial review of educational services for the disabled). Melbourne: Government Printer.Google Scholar
Warnock, M. (Chairperson). (1978). Special educational needs. Report of the Committee of Enquiry into the Education of Handicapped Children and Young People. London: H.M.N.O.S..Google Scholar
Westwood, P. (1982). Survey findings on South Australian handicapped children. South Australian Teacher’s Journal, 14, 18.Google Scholar
Ysseldyke, J.E., & Algozzine, B. (1982). Critical issues in special and remedial education. Boston: Houghton - Mifflin.Google Scholar