Social Development Committee: Funding for Children and Students with Additional Learning Needs in Public Schools and Preschools Petition

Adjourned debate on motion of Ms Wortley:

That the 47^th report of the committee, entitled 'Petition No. 96 of 2021: Funding for children and students with additional learning needs in public schools and preschools', be noted.

(Continued from 6 June 2024.)

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (11:56): The committee heard this is also the case for vulnerable children and students and, for a variety of reasons, include those who are on temporary visas, live in rural areas or are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. To address these additional challenges, the committee has recommended the department engage across government agencies to identify the additional learning needs of children before preschool and again before primary school and to ensure family support is provided.

The department advised it has rolled out several schoolwide initiatives, including the One-In-Four reform, the student engagement reform, and the Positive Behaviour for Learning framework, which is an evidence-based framework to promote improved behaviour and learning outcomes for students. The committee commends the department for these projects.

The recommendations of submissions and witnesses to the inquiry reflect some of the findings of several previous inquiries into the state's education system, including the 2023 Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care; the 2022 University of South Australia study, Teachers at breaking point; and the 2020 Graham Inquiry into Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion Processes in South Australian Government Schools.

I note that yesterday in this place, the Minister for Education announced a major reform to public high schools right around the state, which will support students with a range of complex challenges to continue their studies. The minister advised this parliament that the announcement came off the back of the Inquiry into Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion Processes in South Australian Government Schools conducted in 2020 by Professor Linda Graham and tabled in this place in March 2021.

The $48 million investment in what will be known as tailored learning provision (TLP) will start next year and will support secondary students up to the age of 21 who have disengaged from school. It follows, we are advised by the minister, a successful trial in 12 public high schools this year, which provided additional in-school support to help students overcome these changes and to get back to school. These are just some of the issues and recommendations from this inquiry and I commend the committee's report to the house.

Motion carried.