The British 1981 Education Act and Its Implementation in a Rural County in Wales.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper describes the current British education system as background to a discussion of implementation of the 1981 Education Act in Powys County, Wales. Special education within this system has traditionally occurred off-site of mainstream campuses. Generally, the Act defines special education, imposes on Local Education Authorities (LEAs) the duty to identify and assess the special needs of children, lays down precise procedures for assessment and reporting to parents, and directs the LEA to make available whatever educational support has been agreed upon. Such provision is subject to three conditions: being compatible with the child's special needs, involving no unreasonable expense, and not disrupting the education of other pupils. Apart from limited funding for inservice training, no government spending has been allocated for provision of these services. Development of special education in response to the Act within Powys County is employing a bottom-up model of change, using inservice training, progressive integration of pupils, and integration of providers in the regular program. Initial responses suggest positive outcomes of the program, especially parents' appreciation when their children can attend a neighborhood school. The issue of an adequate curriculum remains, particularly in special needs provision at the secondary level. (DHP)