Okanagan schools short of special needs support, advocates say
An apparent lack of support staff in Okanagan schools is letting down kids with special needs, says a Kelowna, B.C., mom.
Christine McKay, whose six-year-old son Isaac has autism, says the Central Okanagan School District didn't have a resource teacher teacher at the beginning of the academic year, creating gaps in his education at South Kelowna Elementary.
A resource teacher is a certified teacher who acts as a line of communication between teachers and other professionals, helps develop a curriculum that suits the student, and aids in teaching. They often have degrees in special education.
With no resource teacher, McKay says there was no study plan for Isaac. In an interview with CBC's Daybreak South, McKay said that instead care workers walked the boy around the school's hallways throughout the school day.
"Isaac's care workers that worked at the school had no plan for him at the beginning of the year. And that went on for two months," McKay said.
"I just can't even imagine what other children are going through."
'We are meeting our requirements'
Kevin Kaardal, superintendent for the Central Okanagan School District, said he was aware of Isaac's situation at the beginning of the year, but said the situation has since been resolved.
A resource teacher for Isaac's school was hired in October.
"Yes, there was a delay in being able to put a resource teacher into that school but we are meeting our requirements in terms of the collective agreement," Kaardal told Daybreak South host Chris Walker.
"Sometimes parents' expectations about what the program should look like and our professionals' expectations about what the program should look like are different, and we have to work through those differences."
Kaardal adds that the district has over 650 education assistants; more than ever before and that graduation rates for students with special needs is up.
'Multiple Challenges'
Kathryn Golbeck, who's a resource teacher in Penticton, B.C., says she wants to see more resource teachers and other support staff — such as speech therapists, psychologists and counsellors — across the province.
In an email to Daybreak South, Golbeck said finding adequate before- and after-school care for kids with special needs is also very challenging for parents.
"Many parents are being faced with multiple challenges in accessing supports when their children are not in school," she said.
Disappointment
Nicole Kaler is with B.C. Ed Access — an advocacy group that pushes for equitable access to education for all students — says she's disappointed by Kaardal's comments.
"We know that if the people in charge of our kids' education do not acknowledge the issue, they certainly are not going to be willing to make any changes," she said.
"We know more money going into the school system. It is not matching the need of our kids."
B.C. Ed Access has made an online tracking tool that allows parents to document when their children have been excluded or sent home early.
Kaler says that parents need to come together and demand an equitable experience for their children.
"It is catastrophic what is happening," she said.
Click below to hear the full interview with Christine McKay and the school district's response with Kevin Kaardal:
Click below to hear the full interview with Nicole Kaler with B.C. Ed Access:
With files from Daybreak South and Rachel Sanders
