Curriculum and curriculum access issues for students with special educational needs in post-primary settings An international review NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT NO.10 Alison O’Mara1, Benedicte Akre, Tony Munton1, Isaac10 Marrero-Guillamon1, Alison Martin1, Kate Gibson1, Alexis Llewellyn1, Victoria Clift-Matthews1, Paul Conway2 and Chris Cooper1,3 1 Matrix Evidence Ltd, 2 University College Cork, 3 King’s College London Curriculum and curriculum access issues for students with special educational needs in post-primary settings: An international review Alison O’Mara1, Benedicte Akre, Tony Munton1, Isaac Marrero-Guillamon1, Alison Martin1, Kate Gibson1, Alexis Llewellyn1, Victoria Clift-Matthews1, Paul Conway2 and Chris Cooper1,3 1Matrix Evidence Ltd, 2University College Cork, 3King’s College London A report commissioned by the NCSE 2012 The National Council for Special Education has funded this research. Responsibility for the research (including any errors or omissions) remains with the authors. The views and opinions contained in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the NCSE. NCSE RESEARCH REPORTS NO: 10 © NCSE 2012 National Council for Special Education 1–2 Mill Street Trim Co. Meath An Chomhairle Náisiúnta um Oideachas Speisialta 1–2 Sráid an Mhuilinn Baile Átha Troim Co. na Mí T: 046 948 6400 F: 046 948 6404 www.ncse.ie Contents Foreword ...........................................................................................................v Keywords ..........................................................................................................vi Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................vii Glossary ........................................................................................................viii Executive summary ................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................1 Method ...........................................................................................................1 Main Findings ........................................................................................................ 2 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 4 Themes for Future Research .................................................................................... 5 1 Policy and Legislative Context ...............................................................7 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 7 1.2 The Irish Post-Primary Education Context ............................................... 8 1.3 Review of Junior Cycle ........................................................................10 1.4 Review of Senior Cycle ........................................................................ 11 1.5 The Irish Special Educational Needs Context .........................................14 1.5.1 Access to exams and certification ......................................................... 17 1.5.2 Additional support for students with special educational needs .............. 17 1.6 The International Context ...................................................................18 1.7 Aims of this Report .............................................................................18 2 Irish Literature Review ...................................................................... 20 2.1 Research Aims ................................................................................... 20 2.2 Methods ........................................................................................... 20 2.3 Findings from the Review of the Irish Literature .....................................21 2.3.1 Summary of evidence of relevance to Ireland ........................................23 2.3.2 Summary of evidence from Northern Ireland ....................................... 30 2.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................ 34 3 Review of the International Literature .................................................36 3.1 Methods ........................................................................................... 36 3.1.1 Searching for the evidence ................................................................. 36 Curriculum and curriculum access issues for students with special educational needs in post-primary settings: An international review iii 3.1.2 Screening the abstracts ...................................................................... 36 3.1.3 Data extraction and quality assessment of full texts ...............................37 3.1.4 Synthesis .......................................................................................... 39 3.2 Findings from the Review of the International Literature ....................... 39 3.2.1 Overarching principles and structures for curriculum at post-primary level ............................................................................. 43 3.2.2 Differentiation and delivery of content .................................................53 3.2.3 Curriculum flexibility, breadth and IEPs................................................ 56 3.2.4 Curricular pathways and options ......................................................... 62 3.2.5 Assessment and certification .............................................................. 63 3.2.6 Staff and training ...............................................................................67 3.2.7 Transition into and out of post-primary education, and communication between organisations .........................................75 3.3 Conclusion ....................................................................................... 76 3.4 Themes for Future Research ............................................................... 79 3.5 Limitations of the Review ...................................................................80 3.6 Strengths of the Review ......................................................................81 Bibliography ........................................................................................................82 References Included in the Irish Literature Review ................................. 85 References Included in the International Literature Review .................... 87 Appendices Appendix A Descriptions of the Electronic Databases Searched ............................... 92 Appendix B Detailed Electronic Database Search Strategy (Irish Literature Review) ... 93 Appendix C Detailed Electronic Database Search Strategy (International Literature Review) ............................................................................. 96 Appendix D Flow of Literature Diagram for the International Review ....................... 101 Appendix E Quality/Relevance Assessment of Studies Included in the International Review ........................................................................102 iv Curriculum and curriculum access issues for students with special educational needs in post-primary settings: An international review Foreword The NCSE is pleased to publish this new literature review on curriculum and curriculum access issues for students with special educational needs in post-primary settings. The ongoing development of an appropriate education linked to the curriculum for students with special educational needs requires continued attention, particularly at post primary level when education becomes more subject focused. This report presents an overview of research evidence on this topic in Ireland, Northern Ireland and further afield internationally, and highlights key lessons arising from the literature. The report also highlights gaps in the evidence base, particularly the need for more robust studies to assess what works in ensuring curricular access for students with special needs. It also identifies themes for future research to address these gaps. This review is both valuable and broad ranging and will be of great interest to parents, practitioners, policy makers and others working to support pupils with special educational needs. As a follow on from this review, during 2012 the NCSE will commission further empirical research to examine the participation, engagement and curricular experiences of students with special educational needs in a range of different types of second level schools in Ireland. Teresa Griffin, Chief Executive Officer Curriculum and curriculum access issues for students with special educational needs in post-primary settings: An international review v Keywords Assessment, certification; curriculum; curriculum access; curriculum pathways; differentiation; inclusion; individual education plans; international; Ireland; post- primary; literature review; special educational needs; training; transition. vi Curriculum and curriculum access issues for students with special educational needs in post-primary settings: An international review Acknowledgements The review authors would like to thank the National Council for Special Education for funding this work. Particular thanks go to Clare Farrell at the NCSE for her guidance throughout this project. We wish to thank Máirín Wilson (Church of Ireland College of Education) for her expert advice during the project.