Objective

The aim of the Appropriate Education Act of 2014 was to ensure that every student could find a suitable place in education as smoothly and affordably as possible. Schools were therefore given a duty of care, meaning that they themselves had to provide appropriate support when it became clear that a child needed it. This was intended to reduce the number of children who had to stay at home and, in theory, make it easier for parents to find a suitable school. However, the researchers state that practice has shown that these expectations have not been met.

Bureaucracy

Researcher Guuske Ledoux told de Volkskrant: “When it was introduced, the expectation was created that less money would be spent on bureaucracy and more would reach the classroom. Teachers would receive help to support children. That has not happened.’ Many education professionals say that, since 2014, bureaucracy has actually increased.’’

Increased workload

For teachers, this has resulted in a higher workload. And this is despite the fact that, barely six years after the law was introduced, there has been no substantial increase in the number of students with disabilities or learning or behavioral problems attending mainstream schools. Teachers say they did not receive more help to support students requiring additional care because there was no money available for it.

Children absent from school

The aim of reducing the number of children absent from school was also not achieved. At the beginning of this year, it became known that the number of children who had not attended school for more than three months had risen to 4,790 in 2019, an increase of 311 students compared with the previous year.

Wording

Furthermore, the law is vaguely worded. Its objectives, target group and intended results are not clearly defined. As a result, it is impossible to say anything about the long-term development of appropriate education. In addition, the law does not clearly define which students qualify for additional support.

Criticism

Teachers, students and parents have been criticizing the law for some time. Every year, thousands of parents contact Ouders & Onderwijs because their children are not receiving appropriate education. Nothing indicates that parents’ concerns have been reduced by the introduction of appropriate education. In its key priorities, Ouders & Onderwijs argues that things must change. Appropriate education requires substantial investment in smaller classes, more support for teachers and better training. More attention is also needed for parents’ expertise, much more customized support should be made possible, and parents should receive better information and support. In mid-June, Ouders & Onderwijs will present parents’ vision of appropriate education in the State of the Parent.

Position

Minister Slob will present his position on the evaluation and a proposal for the future after the summer. The final report, Evaluation of Appropriate Education, can be read online.

Questions

For questions about appropriate education, you can visit the Ouders & Onderwijs information page or the page listing the issues parents encounter.

Source: www.oudersenonderwijs.nl