Special needs education in Europe. Thematic publication

Preface 4

Introduction 5

1 Special Needs Education in Europe: Inclusive Policies and Practices 6

1.1 Common characteristics of policies and practices 6

1.2 Definitions of special needs/disability 7

1.3 Provision for pupils with special needs 7

1.4 Special schools 10

1.5 Additional topics in relation to special provision and inclusion11

1.6 Common trends in Europe 13

1.7 Concluding comments 16

2 Funding of Special Needs Education 18

2.1 Funding models 18

2.2 Funding systems 19

2.3 Efficiency, effectiveness, strategic behaviour and accountability 22

2.4 Concluding comments 23

3 Teachers and Special Needs Education 25

3.1 Inclusion and teacher support 25

3.2 Initial teacher training in special needs education 29

3.3 Supplementary training in special needs education 32

3.4 Concluding comments 35

4 Information and Communication Technology in Special Needs Education 36

4.1 ICT and special needs education policies 36

4.2 Specialist ICT in special needs education support 38

4.3 ICT in special needs education training 43

4.4 Issues in the application of ICT in special needs education43

4.5 Concluding comments 46

5 Early Intervention 48

5.1 Provision for young children and transition to pre-primary education48

5.2 Early intervention teams 50

5.3 Financial support to families 52

5.4 Concluding comments 53

6 Final Comments 54

6.1 Summary of issues 54

6.2 Further information 55

Annex 1 European Agency Working Partners 56

Annex 2 Eurydice National Units 58