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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 3 Section 6 2

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PART II Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture
Chapter 3. Enhancing Primary and Secondary Education
Section 6. Special Consideration for Children with Physical and Mental Disabilities
2. Special Education Promotion Measures



(1) Enhancing Special Support Services in Resource Rooms

Special support services in resource rooms constitute a new approach to special education. Under this system, children with relatively mild physical or mental disabilities, such as those with speech impediments or those who are emotionally disturbed, sight impaired, or hard of hearing, receive most of their lessons in ordinary classes at elementary and lower secondary schools. In addition, they receive special support services appropriate to their disabilities in resource rooms. This method has been implemented systematically since fiscal 1993, following the amendment of the enforcement regulations of the School Education Law in January 1993. Provision for the staffing levels required to provide special support services is included in the Sixth Improvement Plan on Public Compulsory Education School Teaching Staff Deployment.


(2) Meeting the Needs of Sick Children

Depending on the period over which medical care is required, children who are undergoing treatment for illness are educated at schools for the health impaired or in special classes at elementary and lower secondary schools. Changing approaches to medical care for sick children, however, have led to efforts to improve education for these children. Since fiscal 1993 research and surveys have been carried out regarding the content, methods, and other aspects of instruction for sick children and the provision of classes in hospitals.


(3) Enhancing Vocational Education in the Upper Secondary Departments of Schools for the Blind, the Deaf, and the Otherwise Disabled

Vocational education in the upper secondary departments of schools for the deaf, the blind, and the otherwise disabled was improved with the enhancement of vocation-related subject areas under the new Courses of Study. In recent years, however, it has become necessary to seek further improvements because of changes in the social and employment environments and because of the diversification of students' needs. In fiscal 1994 the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture began to conduct research and surveys regarding approaches to vocational education and specialized courses in upper secondary departments. Other aspects covered include measures to help students achieve vocational independence.


(4) The Attendance Encouragement Program and Other Measures for Special Education

To reduce the expenses of parents of children with physical and mental disabilities, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture provides an attendance encouragement program for special education and a program to develop facilities needed for education in special education schools and other institutions.

The Ministry is currently conducting practical research and surveys on instruction methods for children with learning disabilities. This work was prompted by the lack of clear-cut criteria and diagnostic methods.

Other activities include research and surveys concerning the promotion of appropriate placement of children with disabilities and the preparation and distribution of teacher's reference materials and videos to improve understanding of children with disabilities among teachers and children in elementary and lower secondary schools and among the general public. In addition, the Ministry has commissioned pilot schools to implement interactive activities with elementary and lower secondary schoolchildren and local communities.

The National Institute of Special Education, established in 1971, conducts comprehensive practical research into special education under a reciprocal cooperation arrangement with the National Kurihama School for Handicapped Children. It also provides specialized technical training for teaching staff involved in special education.


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