Exploring Special Education Referral Process in a Primary Years Program International School by Fatima Lemus-Gupta

Most people may agree that school age children benefit from the support of specialized teachers to address their needs.  However, how needs are defined, who is involved and how this process is achieved may differ across countries.  In the United States, for example, there is a set of laws and standards that aim to protect the welfare of the students.  International schools, on the other hand, may follow other regulations and standards that fit a larger diverse community.

This week I had the opportunity to interview two dedicated teachers, who have been working in international schools for several years.  One of them is an elementary school teacher, who also holds a degree in special education.  The second teacher holds a special education degree and has experience in international school settings.

The international school that they are part of has adopted the Primary Years Program (PYP) within the International Baccalaureate.  The school mission statement is “educates and inspire students to value integrity, cultural diversity and the pursuit of well-being and excellence.  Our school fosters and environment which empowers students to become creative, confident lifelong learners ready to take action in the local and global communities.”

Furthermore, the school sees the individual as an accumulation of emotional, psychological, cultural and historical experience that provides students with strengths and challenges.  This holistic perspective is integrated throughout the school programs and services.  This is also extended to their special needs department known as the Education Support Program. 

The Education Support Program serves a very diverse population.  Students come from different cultural experiences, religions, ethnicities, languages and socio-economic status.  At the school, special needs is then defined as any need that a student has that is preventing him or her from learning and growing.   The identification of students with special needs is an ongoing process.  Throughout the year assessments are given to students to monitor their progress. In addition, teachers receive a confidential report card from the previous year.  This report card summarizes not only the academic profile, but also the emotional and psychological profile.

After a student is identified, the teacher meets with one of the education support program specialists to establish the next step.  This step will usually involve more assessments or collection of evidence.  Parents are notified of the findings and brought into the conversation early on.  A team is established to develop a plan of action resulting in the student Individualize Education Program.  This team meets on a regular basis to monitor student progress.  The school has a psychologist and a counselor on board available to students.  The education support specialists also reach out for resources outside the school, such as occupational therapists, speech therapists and psychologists.   

Parents react differently to their child needing support.  Some parents take it with a positive outlook.  Some parents, on the other hand, will need strong evidence to accept their child’s need.  The use of supporting material becomes more important.  Videos and recording, besides evaluation, assessments, and schoolwork, are helpful to accurately diagnose a child, as well as to show to the parents their child’s need.  Parents’ involvement is determined case by case.  However, they are expected to participate in this process as much as they can. 

There have been many success stories at the Student Services Program.  However, there is no specific end point to students with a special need plan.  Students are continuously being evaluated through out their time in the school.  In this way the idea of having special needs is normalized by assuming that all students have needs at any point in time.

~MANY THANKS to the teachers being interviews for this assignment!  Your work at the classroom is very much appreciated.~

~To learn more about the IB curriculum framework, please visit:  http://www.ibo.org/pyp/ ~