Access to Curricula in Three School Settings for Students with Severe Intellectual Disability

The area of severe intellectual disability has received little attention in Australian research. This Victorian study examined the issue of access to curricula in post primary school and special school placements for a group of students with severe intellectual disability. Results from the investigation indicated: that parents were generally dissatisfied with the lack of choice available regarding educational placements and the lack of opportunity for them to contribute in a supportive manner to their daughter's/son's schooling: that teachers in post primary schools reported an urgent need for special training or for specialised staff to assist them with curricular modification: and that the female students in this group experienced disadvantage in several curricular areas.