[senco-forum] Dyslexia

In a message dated 05/11/2007 21:18:30 GMT Standard Time, kngbrndn at aol.com  
writes:

?

LAs will tell you that?this is because more / or all  of?their?central SEN 
funds?are now delegated to schools, and so?more children  will?be having 
there?SEN met at School Action -- including literacy difficulty  children.

?

In reality LAs (whether or not schools are  receiving significantly increased 
SEN delegated funding through enhanced  banding formula)?are setting local 
general "guidance" criteria, for  determining whether a child should be assessed 
and possibly?statemented, that  are so restrictive as to virtually rule out 
all dyslexic / discalculaic /  dyspraxic / high functionong ASD / ADHD / ESBD / 
language impaired?children.  

?

In other words virtually all SEN children in  mainstream -- no matter how 
severly they may be struggling, floundering or  failing in their local mainstream 
school.??The CoP criteria?-- that?it  becomes?'neccessary' to assess and 
statement?whenever a?child?despite the  school having taken relevant and purposful 
action, with the support of  external specialists, the child still does not 
make expected progress -- is  clearly being flouted nationwide. This is why 
appeals against refusals to  assess and statement children are at an all time 
high. And why it is  reasonable to encourage parents to request an assessment and 
appeal if  refused? -- wherever their child is floundering and coming within 
the CoP  criteria relating to the fact that the school is unable to 
sufficently meet  all of a child's SEN. This CoP criteria?must override all overly 
restrictive  local criteria.

?

The green light?for?this nationwide  phenomena, was singled in the strategy 
document issued in 2004 by the DfES  "Removing Barriers to Acheivement" which 
ironically has?triggered a raising of  barriers for very many SEN children?-- 
by encouraging LAs to place less  reliance upon statementing (but not at the 
expense of children's entitlements)  and by delegating / devolving more of its 
central SEN funds to mainstream  schools. The bit I've bracketed, seems to be 
being conveniently overlooked in  very many LA areas,?I'm afraid. Brendan King

Brendan

Have been meaning to ask you this for a while - why so many question marks  
and big spaces in your contributions - or is it a problem at my end?

Martin