Teacher aides in Queensland
A significant element in the funding of special education interventions to
students with disabilities in Queensland has been the employment of teacher aides
who support students with disabilities in accessing modified programs or Individual
Education Programs (Education Queensland, 2006a). Previously known as integration
teacher aides, they provided personal care and help to students with disabilities to fit
in to the regular school with the least disruption to classroom teachers and other
students. Since 2003, their positions have undergone significant reform with new
classification structures based on professional development provisions (Education
Queensland, 2006b). More significant reform for them is inevitable as Education
Queensland (EQ) responds to the report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Inclusive
Education (students with disabilities) (Elkins, 2004). Following national and
international trends on inclusive, EQ is seeking to develop a schooling system that is
more inclusive of students at educational risk, in particular students with disabilities
and learning difficulties. What does the rhetoric about inclusion and its translation
into inclusive education policies and practices mean for employment of the teacher
aides in Queensland? How will inclusive education reform impact on their
employment, their identities and their roles?