The SWANS Project - 2007 Summary

In 2007, more than 70 experienced teachers of students with additional needs participated in a series of workshops held at the University of Melbourne. They worked with the research team to draft statements of competencies for defining developmental pathways of learning for students with additional needs. These observation statements formed the basis of three sets of assessment materials (related to students’ intrapersonal development, interpersonal processes and communication and literacy) that were distributed to 77 schools (both mainstream and specialist) for use by teachers.

Almost 700 teachers of students with additional needs used the materials in their classrooms in late 2007. They recorded their observations of learning for their students against statements of competencies in communication and literacy, intrapersonal learning and interpersonal development.

Next, the data on teachers’ observations of their students’ proficiency will be calibrated to refine and improve the assessment materials and, in 2008, teachers will be asked to monitor and record the learning progress of their students using these materials. Experienced teachers will also be asked to contribute to focus group discussions designed to evaluate the assessment materials and to suggest teaching and learning strategies, and the resources needed for these strategies, for students at different levels of development.