From Semester 1 2024, universities will boost disability and inclusion studies in teaching degrees.
A two-year research project will run to assess the impact of incorporating further learning on autism and sensory needs on the ability of teachers to plan for and manage diverse classrooms.
The University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Tabor College will incorporate an inclusive education curriculum developed by AutismCRC, while Flinders University, which already delivers Inclusive and Specialised Education degrees, will incorporate the latest research findings from the research project.
This initiative with universities builds on the $28.8 million commitment by the Malinauskas Labor Government to fund access to an Autism Inclusion Teacher in every public primary school.
From Semester 2 2024, students from each university will also participate in the practical autism training developed by Positive Partnerships, which is already being undertaken by South Australia's Autism Inclusion Teachers.
Schools across South Australia are set to benefit from increased learning on disability and inclusion with pre-service teachers from each university going on to work in the public, independent and Catholic school sectors.
As put by Peter Malinauskas
Under my Government, South Australia is leading the nation in giving teachers the tools they need to make sure autistic children and young people are afforded every opportunity to maximise their potential.
We've already funded access to an Autism Inclusion Teacher in every school, and expanding the quality training afforded to teaching students is the logical next step.
Providing aspiring teachers these skills will improve the level of support and understanding in classrooms across the public and non-government school sectors.
As put by Blair Boyer
Classrooms are far more complex than they were 20 or even 10 years ago, and it's our responsibility to ensure teachers are prepared with the skills and tools that they need to support every single student.
We need to ensure children and young people with a disability aren't left behind and are fully included in their school and OSHC communities.
This government has taken every step to ensure that's the case and is leading the nation in this space, including introducing Autism Inclusion Teachers in primary schools, a $50 million investment in mental health practitioners in schools right across South Australia, introducing three-year-old preschool and a focus on early intervention and by addressing complex funding for students with a disability.
This initiative with the universities is the next important step and one I'll be sharing with my state and territory colleagues at this week's Education Ministers Meeting.
As put by Emily Bourke
Feedback from teachers, autistic students and parents has been consistent - we need more knowledge about autism in our schools.
The Malinauskas Government has already stepped in to fill a gap in knowledge with the creation of the nation's largest Autism Inclusion Teacher network in schools, now we're working with universities.
We are now arming future teachers with knowledge about disability and inclusion at the very start of their career during their teacher degree.
