Date
23 March 2024

Assessment and monitoring using a team approach

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Identify needs and how to provide support’

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Establish a team

Establish a team

Take a team approach to providing responsive support.

  • Be guided by the student and their whānau.
  • Involve your learning support coordinator or RTLB.
  • Identify and connect with colleagues who have relevant past experience.
  • Consider connecting to external expertise or agencies.

Take an inquiry approach

Take an inquiry approach

Develop a responsive evidenced-based process of working together that supports students' self advocacy.

  • Support the ākonga and whānau to lead and guide the conversation.
  • Work collaboratively to identify key learning goals, responsibilities and what success would look like.
  • Share concerns, questions, and ideas.
  • Consider ākonga strengths as well as barriers to learning.
  • Identify how solutions or strategies will be implemented, refined and reviewed.
  • Discuss how to assess learning in ways that work for the student.
  • Agree on how to stay in touch and share information.

Share information using digital tools

Share information using digital tools

John Robinson reflects on the value of sharing information using the school SMS and student e-portfolios.

Gather useful data

Gather useful data

Build a full picture of your student's strengths, needs and preferences, such as:

  • sensitivities and preferences
  • ways they learn successfully
  • language and communication skills
  • gross and fine motor skills
  • literacy skills
  • numeracy skills
  • ability to act independently
  • social skills and ability to form relationships.

Build on student strengths

Build on student strengths

Brooke Houghton describes the value of taking a strengths-based approach.

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

10 things teachers should know about Down syndrome

Read time: 4 min

Advice from a parent with two daughters who have Down syndrome.

Publisher: Gillian Marchenko

Visit website

Website

Managing behaviours

Read time: 8 min

Practical advice for teachers and support staff.

Publisher: National Down Syndrome Society

Visit website

Website

Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS)

Information about what ORS funding provides, who qualifies for ORS, how ORS funding is managed, and how to resolve any differences.

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Identify needs and how to provide support”:

Return to the guide “Down syndrome and learning”

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