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Special education.
Special education offers specialist support, extra assistance and other help your child may need. But what is special education exactly? For whom is it? And how is your child admitted?
What is special education?
In special education, children receive education that better fits what they need. The classes are smaller and there is more guidance. Teachers often have extra knowledge about behavior, learning, or medical support. The goal is for all children to develop at a pace and in an environment that suits them.
For whom is special education?
Special education is for children who need more support than a regular primary school or special primary education school can provide for their support needs.
These are for example:
- children with an intellectual disability;
- children with a visual or auditory impairment;
- children with a physical disability or long-term illness;
- children with a developmental disorder, such as autism;
- children with serious behavioral problems.
What is the difference between special primary education and special education?
Special primary education and special education are both separate schools, not special classes within a regular primary school. The difference lies in how much extra support a child needs.
- Special primary education is for children who need more support than a regular primary school can provide.
- Special education is for children who need more intensive support and/or specialist care.
A transfer to special education only happens if parents, school, and the partnership tailored education agree that the environment better fits what the child needs.
What kinds of special education are there?
In special education we divide schools into four groups. These groups are called ‘clusters‘. Each cluster is for a special group of children.
- Cluster 1: for blind or visually impaired children (blind or visually impaired).
- Cluster 2: for children with hearing impairment, language development disorder, or speech problems.
- Cluster 3: for children with a physical or intellectual disability or with a long-term illness.
- Cluster 4: for children with behavioral or psychological problems.
How is your child admitted?
Your child cannot just go to special education. Together with the school, you first look at what support your child needs. The agreements about this are set by the school in the development perspective plan. As a parent, you are always involved in this process.
How admission to special education exactly works differs per cluster. Read more about this on the page about the different clusters.
What does special education look like?
Children in special education often have their own learning path: a kind of personal program. This means they work on goals that fit their development. Some students then go to regular education. Others may later go to secondary special education or practical education track.
The school makes a plan together with parents (and the child). This plan describes how the child develops and what support belongs to it. It states how the child is doing now, which goals are achievable, and which support is needed.
The development perspective plan helps the school, parents, and the partnership tailored education to properly monitor if education still fits the child or if adjustments are needed.
Questions or personal advice?
Do you have questions about this topic, would you like advice regarding your situation, or just a listening ear? Then please contact us via 088-6050101, email vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or WhatsApp ons.
FAQ: Special Education.
- Cluster 1: for children with visual impairment, intellectual disability, or other support needs.
- Cluster 2: for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, have a language development disorder (TOS), have both hearing and vision impairments, or have a communicatively multiple impairments (CMB).
- Cluster 3: for children with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, chronic illnesses, or multiple disabilities.
- Cluster 4: for children with severe behavioral problems or psychiatric issues.
If your child fits in cluster 1 or 2, this is assessed through special institutions, such as Visio, Bartiméus, Kentalis, or Auris. Does your child fit better in cluster 3 or 4? Then it goes through the collaborative partnership for inclusive education.
If the regular school your child attends now applies for a statement of eligibility, your child cannot stay at this school. However, you can look for another regular school yourself. They will then investigate whether they can meet the support needs of your child.
Special education is for children who need more help than a regular primary school can provide. The classes are smaller and there is more guidance.
Children with a disability, developmental disorder, or behavioral problem that requires extra guidance.
The sbo is for children who need extra help with learning or behavior but do not need intensive care. The so is for children who need specialized guidance, often in even smaller groups with more support.
There are four clusters:
1. Vision
2. Hearing/language
3. Physical/intellectual
4. Behavior
Only with a Certificate of Admissibility (TLV) from the cooperation association, can a child go to s(b)o clusters 3 or 4. The school applies for this in consultation with parents.
Cluster 1 and 2 are for children with a visual or auditory impairment. A child can go to cluster 1 or 2 if they meet certain conditions and the research committee determines that the school is indeed suitable for the child.
Vso is education for young people aged 12 to 20 who need extra support. They receive lessons in small groups and work on goals that match their abilities.
If the intensive guidance needed no longer fits within regular secondary education. You need a admission statement (TLV).
There is no fixed IQ limit. It is about what a student needs to learn well and develop.
There are three profiles: further education, labor-market-oriented, and day activities.
Students can usually stay at the vso until the end of the school year in which they turn 20.
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