SASKATOON—The number of K-12 students with complex learning needs has increased in Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS), according to a report presented at the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 14, in the W.B. Doyle Room at the SPS central office downtown.
The report indicated an increase of about 800 new students requiring intensive support over the last decade. This growth underscores the need for additional funding to hire staff as part of a plan that addresses these students' needs. The students who meet the criteria often fall into more than one category of support.
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Development Disorder represent the fastest-growing groups within the unique and complex needs category. These students require placement in specialized programs based on the Special Education Data Review.
These programs focus on assisting students with personal care tasks such as eating and using the bathroom independently, classroom support through educational assistants and assistive technology, counselling, occupational therapy, speech and language assistance, and nursing care.
Special education consultants have collaborated with SPS school teams to identify students' needs for intensive support. The resulting plan aims to ensure that every student has access to a variety of supportive educational opportunities.
However, SPS faces increasing pressure to meet these rapidly growing needs. The number of students with unique and complex needs continues to rise at unprecedented rates, while funding has not kept pace.
Most school divisions receive funding based on overall student enrolment rather than the number of students requiring intensive support. As a result, more money must be allocated to intensive support, leaving fewer resources for other needs.
The SPS Board has been urging the Government of Saskatchewan to provide adequate funding to ensure educational opportunities for all students without compromising the quality of education.
“We are asking that funding be provided for students who require intensive support. Doing so would ensure that the needs of every Saskatchewan student are met. Failing to act will undermine the quality of education for all,” the SPS board said in a statement.
