QQI Level 6N1957 Special Needs Assisting Assignment 2 Brief: Project

QQI Level 6 Assignment 2 Brief:  Project (50%):

Learning Outcomes Addressed:

1. Evaluate the provision of education for people with special educational needs with reference to current legislation.
2. Assess the various educational options available in Ireland for people with special educational needs.
3. Examine relevant theories, skills and processes relevant to curriculum implementation.
4. Explore the differences between integration and inclusion.
5. Evaluate the importance of the multidisciplinary team in devising Individual Education Plans.
6. Analyse skills that can be used to aid the teacher in the administration of the national curriculum N.B.

All Assignments Should Be Adequately Referenced.

All assignments must be submitted on Moodle through the ‘Turnitin’ online portal.

For direction and guidance on using the Harvard referencing system to reference correctly and compile a bibliography, please refer to the Student Success Module on Moodle. Should you require any further information, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

Guidelines:

Students are required to compile a detailed project of 2,500 words to include appropriate referencing.

Section One (5 Marks)

An outline of Special Needs Provision in Ireland.

Swan (2000), describes the progression of special needs education in Ireland in three phases:

• The era of neglect and denial
• The era of the special school
• The era of integration and inclusion

You are required to research, explore and discuss each of the three ‘eras’ identified by Swan making reference to:

The role of religious orders in the care and education of children with special needs 2. Institutional care
First inspectorate for special education (1959)

• Development of special schools
• Development of special classes in mainstream schools
• Report of the special education review committee (1993)
• The White paper on education: ‘Charting our Educational Future’ (1995)

Section Two (15 Marks)

This section of your project requests that you explore the education/ childcare sector in an Irish context.  

You are required to outline:

• The provisions for special educational needs in the education/childcare sector.
• Government influences on the sector e.g., inclusion and integration policies, and funding.
• The role and responsibilities of a Special Needs Assistant with relevant examples.
• The relevant skills of an S.N.A. and their support of the teacher’s role in schools.

Section Three (5 Marks)

Outline current legislation relating to special needs education in Ireland to demonstrate your understanding and application of same in relation to your role as an SNA.

You are required to outline each Act and examine how they apply in practice with examples.

• The Education Act 1998
• The National Disability Authority Act 1999
• The Education Welfare Act 2000
• The Equal Status Act 2000
• The Education for Person’s with Special Needs Act 2004

Section Four (10 Marks)

This section of your project requires you to evaluate the findings of your project pieces 1, 2, 3 and draw together logical conclusions with an emphasis on the following:

• The policy changes that led to integration and inclusion
• The shift in attitudes with reference to the social and medical models of disability
• The value of an inclusive education and policies

Section Five (15 Marks)

This piece of your project requires you to demonstrate your ability to reflect and offer your views and opinions.

You are required to:

• Outline the value of significant National policies and pieces of legislation
• Make recommendations to improve special needs provision in Ireland relating to gaps in current legislation and policy
• Give appropriate links to international policy in relation to children with special needs, justifying the creation of policies.
• With your new understanding of policy and legislation reflect on your attitudes, values, beliefs, and assumptions in relation to working
• with people who present with disabilities.
• Please note: evidence of reflective thinking and analysis should be demonstrated.

(2,500 words for project)

Assignment Submission

N.B. Your module must be fully completed and submitted through the “Turnitin” online portal on Moodle. Part submissions will not enter the correction process.

Each assignment should be presented with (as appropriate) a cover page, authorship statement, body of assignment, bibliography.
Please note: It may happen that the learner will be requested to resubmit their work. The onus is on the learner to keep all copies of their work until they receive their certificate of completion.