Editor: Re: Classes bulge with students needing extra support, March 26
I'm writing in response to the article that discussed class composition challenges in the Delta school district.
Far from "bulging with students needing extra support," the number of students with special needs in Delta has remained stable over the past five years from 2,237 in 2009-10 to 2,151 in 2013-14. As well, over the same time period, there are 295 more classes with an educational assistant.
Class composition can sometimes be a challenge, but it's a school district's responsibility to manage the number of teachers hired and assigned to classes.
Districts also determine how many students with special needs are in each class. Superintendents work with principals and vice principals to ensure these decisions best meet the needs of all students in a district.
At the same time, we recognize that classroom composition challenges require ongoing support, and that's why government created the Learning Improvement Fund.
It provides $75 million in additional funding each year to address complex classroom needs and support flexible learning environments.
This year, the Delta school district is receiving $1.6 million through the fund, and next year the district is estimated to receive more than $2 million.
Peter Fassbender
Minister of Education
