Support in education of pupils with SEN

1. Support Tools System

Pupils with special educational needs are entitled to receive an adequate support in all school levels, and this support is free of charge in this Czech schools. Schools have to cooperate with school counseling facilities when assessing, recommending and implementing individual support to these pupils according to their individual educational needs. Of course, an effective cooperation with pupil’s family is always important, and it is often advantageous to include some extracurricular facilities and social services so that a high-quality and comprehensive support could be provided for a child.

Support tools system in Czech schools

The support tools in education are perceived as necessary adjustments in education process and school services corresponding to the health conditions, cultural environment or other living conditions of a pupil. It represents the appropriate adjustments above all:

• in school counseling;
• in organization of lessons;
• in curriculum content;
• in pupil’s assessment;
• use special appropriate teaching methods;
• use of special teaching and compensatory aids;
• arrangements for admission to and completion of education for pupils with special educational needs;
• education according to an individual educational plan;
• use of a teacher's assistants (if necessary).

The current system of support tools in education of pupils with SEN is divided into five levels. The indication and practical use of particular instruments depends mainly on level and type of SEN of each individual – but the higher the need, the higher the support intensity. 

Nowadays, more than 100,000 pupils with SEN are educated in Czech schools – most of them in mainstream schools. In fact, each pupil is entitled to education in mainstream school if possible, but there is still a system of special education (special schools) open for pupils with severe forms of disabilities.

(Photo by Arthur Krijgsman from Pexels)

2. School Counseling

We can find an Educational Consultant in every Czech primary and secondary school. This consultant (usually one of the school teachers) coordinates also the support for pupils with SEN in the school education. In some schools the Special Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is available, but only as a part time employee, and without any anchoring in Czech law yet.

As for the external School Counseling Facilities, there are two types of them:

Both of these facilities provide all basic counseling services like:

• Diagnostics (of psychological and special educational needs)
• Recommendations for use of support tools in pupil's education
• Psychological and special educational support for pupils and parents
• Counseling, support and education for teachers
• Special educational activities

(Photo by mentatdgt from Pexels)

3. Teachers assistant (TA)

The teacher's assistant is a school employee who support pupils with SEN in their learning process, especially during the classroom lessons. The main goal of his work is to support the work of the teacher in working with students who require an increased level of support in education.

The main activities in a job of teacher's assistant are:

• Cooperation with the teacher,
• Assistance to pupils in entering the school and adapting to the school environment,
• Communication with pupils as well as their legal representatives,
• Individual work with a pupil with SEN, according to the recommendations of the School Counselling Centers.

4. Individual educational plan (IEP)

An Individual Educational Plan (IEP) is one of the support tools in education of pupils with special educational needs or with gifted pupils. The individual educational plan is based on the School Educational Program (SEP) of the school, and it is a binding document ensuring the special educational needs of the pupil. IEP is created on the basis of recommendation of the school counseling facility for the pupils with higher levels of SEN (the second or higher support tools level).