MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
What can I do and where can I
find resources?
June 2014
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Purpose
• To explore a range of adjustments that enable all students to access ageappropriate content
• To draw attention to advice materials and resources developed to support
teachers working with students with special education needs located on
boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au and syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au
• To make connections with other digital resources that support teachers to
share their knowledge, expertise and resources
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Students with special education needs
• The rationale, aim, objectives, outcomes and content of the K–10
Syllabuses have been designed to accommodate teaching approaches that
support the learning needs of all students.
• The stage statements and the continuum of learning can help teachers
identify the starting point for instruction for every student, including those
with special education needs.
• Most students with special education needs will participate fully in learning
experiences based on the regular syllabus outcomes and content.
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Students with special education needs
• Collaborative curriculum planning will determine the most appropriate
curriculum options for students with special education needs in keeping
with their learning needs, strengths, goals and interests.
• Students may require additional support or adjustments to teaching,
learning and assessment activities.
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Students with special education needs
• For some students it may be determined that adjustments to teaching,
learning and assessment are not sufficient to access some or all of the
Stage 4 and Stage 5 outcomes.
• For these students, the Years 7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content can
provide the basis for developing a rigorous, relevant, accessible and
meaningful age-appropriate program.
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Collaborative curriculum planning
Collaborative curriculum planning will determine the most appropriate curriculum options for students
with special education needs in keeping with their learning needs, strengths, goals and interests.
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Adjustments
• measures or actions taken in relation to teaching, learning and assessment
• enable a student with special education needs to access syllabus outcomes
and content on the same basis as their peers.
• types of adjustments made will vary according to the needs of the
individual student.
• more information is available under the following headings:
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Students access regular age-appropriate outcomes with adjustments
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Students access regular outcomes from a prior stage with age-appropriate content
Illustration of Personalised Learning
Year 8 Geography – Fieldwork in a local context
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
ACE Manual
The ACE website provides information about the rules and procedures for
assessment, certification and examination programs in secondary education in
NSW.
Collaborative curriculum planning - ACE 3004, 3005
Adjustments to course work/assessment tasks - ACE 3001
Eligibility for Life Skills - ACE 3001
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Assessment and Reporting
Adjustments for students with special education needs
• so that students can demonstrate what they know and can do in relation to
syllabus outcomes and content.
• types of adjustments will vary, based on the needs of individual students.
• adjustments to the assessment process, for example additional time, rest
breaks, quieter conditions, or the use of a reader and/or scribe or specific
technology
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Assessment and Reporting
Adjustments for students with special education needs
• adjustments to assessment activities, for example rephrasing questions or
using simplified language, fewer questions or alternative formats for
questions
• alternative formats for responses, for example written point form or notes,
scaffolded structured responses, short objective questions or multimedia
presentations
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Life Skills
Advice on planning programming and assessment
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Other digital resources
English K-6 Support Materials for Students with Special Education Needs
Mathematics K-6 Support Document for Students with Special Education Needs
Illustrations of personalised learning
Online teaching resources and communities
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Get involved
Register as a curriculum writer
www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/jobs/
Provide feedback on the new syllabus website
[email protected]
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU
Sarah Humphreys
Senior Project Officer, Special Education
Tel: +61 2 9367 8148
[email protected]
BOSTES.NSW.EDU.AU