Non-mainstream education to undergo government review | ABC NEWS

Summary

Nash Clark, a student with autism, has been homeschooled for five years due to the lack of accommodations in the traditional education system. His mother, Paula, highlights the increasing number of students refusing school due to disabilities or mental health issues. The education minister supports a review into alternative education options, aiming to better address the needs of these students. The review will also examine online education programs like open access colleges, which cater to students unable to attend traditional schools. While some welcome the review, concerns remain about students who are already falling through the cracks.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nash Clark has autism and has been homeschooled for 5 years due to challenges with traditional schooling.
• 😀 Paula Clark, Nash's mom, says there’s a growing cohort of students that the traditional school system doesn’t accommodate.
• 😀 Paula mentions that many children, including her son, exhibit school refusal or reluctance to attend school.
• 😀 The education minister acknowledges a rise in school refusal, driven by disabilities or mental health challenges.
• 😀 A review of alternative education options is underway to investigate causes and identify workable solutions for students facing barriers in traditional schools.
• 😀 The review will explore options outside of mainstream schools to ensure appropriate resources and options for students and families.
• 😀 The review will also examine open access colleges that offer online teaching for primary and secondary students.
• 😀 Open access colleges often serve students with mental or physical health issues, who are unable to attend local schools.
• 😀 Open access colleges welcome the review and hope it will improve learning experiences for their students.
• 😀 Paula Clark is grateful for the review but believes more needs to be done for children who have already fallen through the cracks in the education system.
• 😀 The review will be completed by the end of the year, with hopes of identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

Q & A

What is the primary issue discussed in the transcript?

The transcript discusses the challenges faced by students who do not fit within traditional schooling systems, particularly those with autism, disabilities, or mental health issues. It focuses on alternative education options and a review being conducted to investigate these alternatives.

Why is Nash Clark being homeschooled?

Nash Clark is being homeschooled because traditional schooling did not work for him due to his autism. He has been homeschooled for the past five years.

What challenges do parents like Paula Clark face regarding the school system?

Paula Clark highlights the issue of receiving constant calls from schools to pick up children, as many students, including her son Nash, refuse to attend school or have difficulty coping with traditional education.

What does the education minister say about the trend of school refusal?

The education minister acknowledges a growing trend of students refusing to go to school, attributing it to various complex reasons, including disabilities and mental health challenges.

What is the goal of the review into alternative education?

The review into alternative education aims to explore the causes behind school refusal and to identify workable options for students who do not fit into mainstream schools. It seeks to ensure there are sufficient, appropriate alternatives available.

What does the education minister hope to achieve with the review?

The education minister hopes the review will identify strengths and weaknesses in the current education system and suggest improvements to ensure better options for students and families outside of mainstream schools.

How does Open Access College fit into the alternative education landscape?

Open Access College offers online education for primary and secondary students, particularly those with mental or physical health issues that prevent them from attending a local school. The college welcomes the review as it may highlight areas for improvement in their model.

What is the role of Open Access College in supporting students?

Open Access College serves as an alternative to traditional schooling for students who cannot attend school due to health issues. It provides an online learning environment designed to accommodate these students' needs.

What does Paula Clark hope the review will address?

Paula Clark hopes the review will lead to more substantial improvements for students who are already being left behind by the current system. She is grateful for government efforts but feels that more needs to be done for those whose needs are not yet being met.

When will the review into alternative education be completed?

The review into alternative education is expected to be completed by the end of the year.