diverse learners; students need much more support than is currently being offered; Classes are too large for
teachers to properly teach everyone.
2.
In reaction to the 2014 review report, a new “Action Plan for Education: Renew Refocus Rebuild” was published
in 2015 by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, which focuses on four key areas: 1.
Build a modern education system 2. Create an innovative curriculum 3. Promote inclusive school environments
4. Advance excellence in teaching and leadership. Under Pillar 3, actions envisioned are: Strengthen support for
classrooms; Introduce a new (needs-based) model of service delivery for inclusive education (Continuum of
Support with a broad range of programming options, comprehensive assessment, monitoring of progress);
Introduce a new Code of Conduct to support positive student behavior; and Streamline the curriculum to
identify essential learning outcomes. The Action Plan includes a timeline for each action and will be reviewed on
an annual basis. In 2014/15, the budget will support the new direction in education, by adjusting the tuition
support agreements, allowing students with special needs to stay in the tuition support program beyond four
years ($200,000); by ensuring that high-needs students are supported by increasing funding for special
education ($1.5 million); and by limiting class sizes for grades primary to 2 ($7.2 million).
T
RANSFERABILITY
, S
CALABILITY AND
C
OST
-E
FFICIENCY
This policy can be easily implemented and transferred to other countries to support their efforts towards the
implementation of the article 24 of the CRPD. Nova Scotia has no publicly funded special schools or units and therefore
saves the money that is normally spent if two education systems are maintained. Under ‘Innovation’, the most
important aspects have been explained in more depth, thanks to the international comparative study of the NCSE of
Ireland.
F
UTURE
D
EVELOPMENT
(W
ITH
A
DDITIONS FROM THE
Z
ERO
P
ROJECT
T
EAM
)
There is acknowledgement that the system underperforms for behavioural problems and that there are issues with
teacher training and expertise to cater for inclusion (which seem to be present as elsewhere).
W
EBSITE
:
(
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
)
Text o
f Nova Scotia's Special Education Policy of 2008 .Report of the Minister’s Panel on Education
: Nova Scotians Demand a Better Future for Every Student, 2014
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Action Plan
: Renew Refocus Rebuild ,2015: