[SENco-forum] maths/Why only TA support?

Money. Of rather the lack of it.

Having said that teaching Math or Literacy to those having learning
differences of any kind requires training that most teachers don't have.
Only around 6 hours on a teacher training course is devoted to SEN
teaching - although hopefully this is now going to be increased following
the recent HOC SEN Select committee enquiry.

So it is not a question of why are there not more teachers for additional
support, but rather why is there not more specialist training available for
those who work in the area of AEN.  No money = no training.

At the top end a dyslexia diploma costs £2,000 plus 26 days of cover
supervision and the alternative cheaper (?) way, as seen via the new
dyscalculia math programme, is to train AST's or 'advisors' and wait for
these to work there way around to each school in their cluster to
disseminate the info on different learning/teaching approaches needed for
those with the severest math/number problems. Cheaper for the LEA, but not
so good for the children as it takes too long. Both of my children with
dyscalculia will have left school before help arrives!

Sharon

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of lk s
Sent: 27 September 2007 06:18
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] maths

In our school they have just decided to try this in yr 5 and 6 only it is
one top ability , one middle and one lower ability group. If the children's
needs cannot be met in the lower ability group then they will be withdrawn
in small groups to work with a T.A. I'm sorry I do not wish to offend any
T.A's but how come it is always the children with the greatest needs who end
up working with the most at risk children when they are probably the ones
that need the most intensive approach from a qualified teacher.

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