Tailored education.

Focus point - Tailored education.

Tailored education means good education for all students. The idea is that all students receive appropriate support in education. Preferably at a regular school but if that is not possible at a school for special education. That sounds simple but in practice it is more complicated. Tailored education does not yet lead to education that fits all students. Too many parents and children deal with insufficient good education and in some cases even no education. This affects families deeply and for a long time. Often with serious consequences for children and their parents.

Criticism of tailored education

For a large group of children tailored education works well. But there is also much criticism of the implementation of tailored education, from education itself and from parents. This creates a worrying picture. A large number of children receive insufficient support, are not at the right school or do not go to school. Figures vary but the estimate is that at least 10,000 children are out‑of‑school at the moment. Differences between regions and schools are large. Schools must ensure that a child that needs extra guidance and support always gets a suitable place. This so‑called duty of care is circumvented by schools by raising all kinds of obstacles at registration or when the school cannot provide the necessary support to the student. The education inspectorate supervises this too little.

In trouble

If the school can no longer handle a student or when parents disagree with the school’s approach, parents feel pressure from the school or the partnership tailored education. These institutions have a much stronger position than parents. If schools do not follow the rules, it becomes practically impossible for parents to do anything about it. If problems grow bigger and more complex, more professionals become involved. Many parents then lose track. They search urgently for information and support for the sake of their child. In too many cases parents are insufficiently involved, not taken seriously or pressured. Parents get stuck between the necessary support for their child and the possibilities that the school can and wants to offer. This still too often leads to students for whom no education is available or who become seriously harmed by their experiences at school.

Problems

At the core the problems around tailored education are a result of the problems felt throughout education. Often the pressure is too high, there are staff shortages, classes are too large and some teachers lack experience and knowledge to deal well with differences in the classroom.

In a system where the pressure is too high, the children who struggle most are the first to fall behind. They end up in special education, but here teachers are scarce too and waiting lists are long. Moreover, for a group of children there is no suitable place even in special primary education or practical education track. Because they are gifted, autistic, depressed or anxious. Or children are so badly bullied or rejected so often that they really cannot go to school anymore. We see that the number of children in special education and the number of children out‑of‑school is increasing.

How should education be tailored?

Real tailored education is as inclusive as possible. Schools are able and willing to accept children and really look at what they need. Parents are seen as experts in their child and do not have to insist on extra support. Teachers are trained to deal with differences and know exactly what is expected from them. They can easily ask for help from specialists or call on care. Parents easily find the right information and can contact the partnership tailored education or experienced parents for advice if they can’t resolve things with the school. The schools ensure together in the partnership tailored education that every child receives tailored education, also if that means new forms of education must be developed in cooperation with care and/or youth assistance, private education must be purchased or if children need home schooling. The rights of students are guaranteed because they are always heard and have a right to education.

What parents think

The Staat van de Ouder is the annual research of Ouders & Onderwijs into the opinion and experience of parents. In 2022 it was about the transfer from primary to secondary school. For children who need extra support this transfer is extra complicated. The research showed that parents experience fewer choices and see various limitations for their child. This actually applies to the whole process from school advice to the first year of secondary school. Read more and consult the complete research on the theme page Staat van de Ouder.

Our positions: 

• Tailored education is as inclusive as possible.
• Parents know best what is good for their child and get the right information and support.
• Teachers are trained to deal with differences between students and know exactly what is expected from them.
• Schools look at what children need and can easily call on help from specialists.
• Partnership tailored education ensures that tailored education is arranged for every child and develop new forms of education and cooperation for this.
• Students have the right to education and are always heard.