A survey of identification and placement procedures, teacher qualifications, facilities, instructional programs, and financing of schools for the trainable mentally retarded and of opportunity classes in the schools of Newfoundland

Martin, Fred G. (1969) A survey of identification and placement procedures, teacher qualifications, facilities, instructional programs, and financing of schools for the trainable mentally retarded and of opportunity classes in the schools of Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This investigation presents a survey of the provision of educational services for the trainable and the educable mentally retarded in Newfoundland. The areas investigated were identification and placement procedures, teacher qualifications, facilities, instructional programs, and the financing of special schools and of opportunity classes in public schools. -- In the conduct of the study the investigator visited all schools operated by the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children and all Opportunity Classes in the public schools of the Province. Data were obtained through questionnaires completed by (i) an official of each local Association of the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children; (ii) teachers in schools for the trainable retarded, and in opportunity classes for the educable retarded; (iii) principals of schools in which opportunity classes were in operation. The information obtained through questionnaires was further supplemented through interviews with respondents who had completed them, and by the collection of information on a pupil sample during the visit of the investigator to the schools and classes which comprised the study. The instrument was developed from publications of the Department of Education in the State of California and adapted for purposes of this study through consultation with Newfoundland educators working in this area of special education. -- With reference to the services provided by the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children, the investigator applauds the excellent service which the Association is rendering but feels that the task of providing educational service for ALL trainable retarded children in the Province is too onerous to be the sole responsibility of a voluntary organization. -- With reference to the opportunity classes in the public schools of the Province, the investigator is of the opinion that classes are being too hastily established without sufficient curriculum guidelines from the Department of Education and without sufficient supervision of identification and placement procedures. The Province also lacks a supply of teachers with a background of special education training. The most important recommendations arising from the study are: -- (1) The provision of educational services for the trainable mentally retarded should be integrated into the educational system of the Province and financed by the Provincial Government. -- (2) Sheltered workshops should be established for those of the trainable retarded who are capable of semi- independence in adult life. -- (3) Because present opportunity class placement within the Province leads to a dead-end street and for many individuals has a demoralizing effect, efforts should be made to change the present educational emphasis upon academic achievement by the development of programs at the junior and senior high school levels which will provide sufficient upgrading to ensure admission of the opportunity class pupil into some type of vocational program. -- (4) A pre-vocational program should be developed at the senior high school level, and where geographical location permits, this program should be integrated with existing vocational school services. This would permit students of sixteen years and over to attend vocational school on a part-time basis while continuing their academic upgrading at the senior high school. -- (5) Identification and placement procedures should be carefully determined and strictly regulated by the Department of Education. -- (6) More courses in special education should be offered by the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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