Riding the Crest of the Wave: Inclusive Education in New Zealand

In 1996, the New Zealand government and the Ministry of Education announced that they were setting up a "world class system of inclusive education". As a parent of a son with high and complex needs, a teacher, school Principal and Disability studies Lecturer, this author will track the changes in the journey towards inclusive education over the last 20 years. Strategies for partnering with families to ensure educational success along with insights from one of those on the crest of the wave will be presented. Using a narrative methodology the author will illuminate how far New Zealand has come towards this world class system of inclusion promised and share from personal experience some of the highlights and risks in the system. This author has challenged the old structures and been part of the setting up of new structures particularly for providing parent voice and insight; this paper provides a unique view from an insider’s voice as well as a professional in the system.

Authors:

• Barbara A. Perry

Keywords:

• Disability studies
• inclusive education
• special education
• working with families with children with disability.

References:

[1] Education Act 1989. Retrieved from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0080/latest/ DLM175959.html.
[2] UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990). Retrieved from http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CRC.aspx.
[3] Ministry of Education (1996). Special Education 2000. Wellington: Author.
[4] Mitchell, D. & Mitchell, J. (1985). Out of the shadows: A chronology of significant events in the development of services for exceptional children and young persons in New Zealand: 1850 – 1983. Wellington: Department of Education.
[5] Ballard, K. (2004). Children with Disability: Special or Included. Waikato Journal of Education. 10. 315-326.
[6] Turnbull, A. & Turnbull, R. (2001) Families, Professionals and Exceptionality: Collaborating for Empowerment (4th ed.) New Jersey: Merrill.
[7] Wills, R, & Perry, B. (2005). What Works For Us: The Parents’ Voice. Retrieved from http://www.isec2005.org.uk/isec/abstracts/papers_w/wills_r_1.shtml.
[8] MacDonnell, P. (2003). Developments in special education in Ireland: deep structures and policy making. International Journal of inclusive Education. 73. 259 - 269.