The Organization of Special Education in the French speaking Community of Belgium from 2 ½ till 18 – Special (and integrated) education in the French speaking Community of Belgium

1.organization of the ordinary education 1.1. The structures of compulsory education 1.2. The structures of basic education 2.organization of Special Education : the law 2.1. Instruction and education of the impaired children 2.2. Eight types of impairment 2.3. admission 2.4. levels of education 2.5. Integrated Special Education 2.6. Initial training of future teachers on Special Education 2.7. Dark future!!! 3.Grid with courses and practice periods now on in the initial training

organization of Special Education : the law of July 5 th, 1970 >>> Instruction and education of impaired children + develop- physical and intellectual skills - social adjustment + prepare to- family life - professional jobs - being busy amidst a protected environment >>> Eight types

organization of Special Education : the law of July 5 th, 1970 >>> Instruction and education of impaired children >>> Eight types + type 1 – minor mental handicap + type 2 – moderate or serious mental handicap + type 3 – serious emotional and/or behavioural problems + type 4 – physical handicap + type 5 – protracted illness + type 6 – visual handicap + type 7 – auditory handicap + type 8 – serious learning disabilities

>>> Admission + be recognized as not being able of following the education in an ordinary school by: 1.the Psycho-Medico-Social Centre 2.the direction of an ordinary school 3.the school inspection 4.the parents >>> education levels

>>> Admission >>> education levels + the pupils recognised as not being able to follow from 2 ½ till 21 years old, are put in the following education units: - special kindergarten education: from 2 ½ till 6 years old - special primary education: from 6 till 12 (13-14) years old - special secondary education: from 12 (13-14) till 21 years old maximum

>>> Integrated education + to promote:- social adjustment - the training + to obtain the CEB (Certificate of Basic Education) + the Higher Council of the Special Education and the Minister of Education fix the modalities needed to organise integrated education. In the practice, it is the Special Education School, under the pressure of the parents, that directs the choice. + which practice? some rare situations of integrated classrooms are known…

>>> Initial training of future teachers for Special Education + for primary school teachers and educators + pedagogical practice periods in the Special Primary Education School + length : 1 week + when? During the third (last) year + preparation: model lessons and didactical lessons beforehand

>>> TRAINING foreseen for at the ENP (Primary Teacher Training School) of the HERB in Braine-le-Comte + in the second year: information on the school organisation of Special Education and on the types a whole day visit in a Special Education School situation and functioning specific to this school observation of activities within a few classrooms + in the third year:

>>> TRAINING foreseen for at the ENP (Primary Teacher Training School) of the HERB in Braine-le-Comte + in the second year: + in the third year: practice period of two weeks in a Special Education School first week: passive practice period and/or co-responsibility second week: active practice some End-of-Study-Works treat these problems of Special Education (This year 2 students work on integration)

>>> Dark future: the new decree (Sept. 2001) for the initial training says nothing ! ! ! about the training on Special Education at the Teacher Training School!!!