2. Education in Norway 2998 primary and lower secondary schools 615 927 pupils 67 200 teachers 13 941 teachers assistants 439 upper secondary schools 190 8282 pupils 25 348 teachers 33 000 apprentices

3. Ministry of Education Directorate of Education County Governor Municipality/ PPS School / Kindergarden Parents Child/ pupil National centres Health -BUP -HABU Universities Statped - State resource centers

4. Which are the most important challenges of today? Increasing amount of special needs education Almost 12 per cent receive special needs education at 10th grade – while 4 per cent at 1th grade. The difference is a problem! The goals for each pupil not always clear/realistic The measures and education strategies are arbitrary Lack of evaluation of outcomes

5. Which are the most important challenges of today? Teachers do not always have the right qualifications to meet the needs of the pupil with SEN Non-existing terms and conditions for using assistants (persons that are not teachers) in education Fragmented and not coordinated support systems at local and national level

6. Three goals for special needs education Prevention and early intervention – turn the curve – more special education in early years. No ”career” in special needs education Learning and development processes – special needs education- concrete goals, measures and evaluation of results Inclusion – special needs education shall not lead to exclusion and discrimination

7. Official policy on inclusion Inclusion - a fundamental principle and goal Kindergarten and school of high quality; high expectations to knowledge and skills for all Schools actively to take into consideration different conditions and abilities, both regarding organization of education and in pedagogy Education based on shared values and human rights Given the right conditions, inclusive education gives best learning outcome for all

8. Three strategic approaches Cooperation and coordination – better completion Target-oriented qualifications – improved learning outcome Identify – follow up

9. SUPPORT SYSTEM I – The local educational and psychological counseling service (PPS) 2071,94 educational specialists including 220 psychologists Main tasks: Individual assessment and support Guidance given to schools with a systemic approach to their challenges

10. SUPPORT SYSTEM II Statped - State resource centers 2013: one organization with 4 regional offices Consists of 11 centers with different areas of responsibilities Aims to cover a wide range of special needs competences

11. Three strategic approaches Cooperation and coordination – better completion Target-oriented qualifications – improved learning outcome Identify – follow up

12. Learning together A new regulation in the act of kindergardens Stress that the adapted education must have better quality More research Better information and In-service training Challenges To emphasize the importance of special needs education in the kindergardens Increasing percentage of special needs education We need to know more about the effect of special education Lack of evaluation and outcomes of the pupils with special educational needs Identify – follow up

13. Learning together New national center for learning environment Reform of continuing education and training for the PPT Statped restructured into multidisciplinary regional centers ”One door in” Challenges Teachers want to learn more about learning environment and adapted education The educational and psychological counselling service (PPT) needs more competence The national support system (Statped) is fragmented Target-oriented qualifications – improved learning outcome

14. Learning together Develop cooperation models Poster for parents: Overview of current rights and the importance of user involvment Reduce the burden of written reports of assessment for pupils with special educational needs Challenges Better cooperation and coordination between local and national level Parents dont know their childrens rights - and where they can get help and advise Time consuming and red- tape in the special needs education Cooperation and coordination – better completion

15. Meld. St. 18 (2010-2011) Report to the Storting (white paper) Learning together Summary in English: www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd/dok/regpubl/st meld/2010-2011/meld-st-18-2010- 2011.html?id=665337 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION