In the development of teaching, learning and assessment activities, educators plan and use curriculum adjustments to cater for the individual needs of students with special education needs.   Adjustments enable students to participate in learning experiences on the same basis as their peers. 

Adjustments are measures or actions taken in relation to teaching, learning and assessment that assist a student with a disability to access syllabus outcomes and content on the same basis as their peers.

The types of adjustments made will vary according to the needs of the individual student. For example, some students may require: 

• adjustments to classroom organisation
• support materials, such as scaffolds
• adjustments to the amount of content to be covered in a particular lesson or unit
• adjustments to the time allocated to complete work
• alternative formats for responses, such as oral instead of written responses
• additional demonstration of key concepts and skills
• opportunities for guided and independent practice
• simplified language and rephrased questions in assessment activities.

The Disability Standards for Education 2005 (http://www.education.gov.au/disability-standards-education), formulated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, clarify the obligations of education providers and seek to ensure that students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as other students. 

Information about adjustments is also available on the BOSTES website at: http://syllabus.bostes.nsw.edu.au/adjustments/

Tell us what you think!

Take this quick survey to tell us what you think of BOSTES resources for students with special education needs – and what you need from us.

http://svy.mk/2bLw99C 

For more information, contact:
Marina Laing
Senior Project Officer, Special Education
marina.laing@bostes.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8036

or              

Zannah Mathieson
Senior Project Officer, Special Education
susannah.mathieson@bostes.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8148