A highly-effective curriculum assessment and reporting program that helps teachers personalise learning for students who have a disability will be expanded across Victoria.
The Abilities Based Learning and Education Support (ABLES) tool was developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne in 2007.
The Andrews Labor Government committed to phase in the use of the program across the State as part of its Special Needs Plan to make Victorian schools more inclusive.
Teachers can directly access the materials and the online training on how to use ABLES, which can contribute to teachers’ professional development and registration requirements. Already this year, over 7,000 students in Government schools have been assessed using this resource.
Minister for Education James Merlino said that as well as making online training available, state-wide workshops will be held in November 2015, to encourage staff to take advantage of the tool to help better support those students with disabilities.
Mr Merlino said a network of experienced school-based ABLES practitioners will also be established in 2016 to support their school and neighbouring schools in developing their knowledge and understanding of ABLES.
The assessment and reporting tools provide a comprehensive picture of a student's strengths and abilities and enable the development of personalised learning programs for each child.
Around 340 government schools have used the ABLES tool so far this year to support their students’ learning and 350 Catholic schools have attended ABLES information sessions.
As part of the Education State, ABLES will also be available on the Insight Assessment Platform in 2016. The platform will host new and existing assessment tools and will be available via laptop, mobile and small screen devices.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“ABLES ensures kids who have the extra challenges of a disability get the personalised learning programs they need to reach their full potential.”
“Expanding this program is part of securing every one of the nine major initiatives outlined in our Special Needs Plan, which started with the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) Review in July.”
“These initiatives will improve students’ achievement, engagement and wellbeing by creating fairer, safer and more inclusive schools for students with special needs.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is investing almost $4 billion to make Victoria the Education State, so every community has access to a great local school and every child gets the chance to succeed.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020