The Government has overall responsibility for the teacher training system including quality assurance, accessibility of training and funding/budgeting issues. Teacher training institutes are supervised by the Inspectorate of Education.26
The Higher Education and Research Act (WHW)22, which came into force in 1993, replaced the Higher Professional Education Act (WHBO)23 and the University Education Act (WWO)24. Since that time, teacher training has been legislated by the requirements of the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW).25
In addition to generalist primary and special school teachers, special schools may also employ subject specialists to teach specific areas of the curriculum and support staff, such as educational psychologists, speech therapists and remedial teachers.25
Children with special educational needs in mainstream education are often provided with peripatetic supervision in the form of special teachers or teaching assistance from special schools.12
There are no full-time teacher training courses for special education. Initial teacher training courses include an introduction to educating students with special educational needs (SEN). It is possible to specialise by following an advanced course specialising in SEN (after initial teacher training) or by following an in-service teacher training course in SEN. Due to integration policies, the number of in-service special needs training courses is increasing.11 20 27
There are no full-time teacher training courses for special education.11 20
Initial teacher training courses in the Netherlands include an introduction to educating children with special educational needs (SEN). Current government policy requires more knowledge of educating special needs students within teacher training, but adding special needs programmes is complex. Primary school teachers in the Netherlands are qualified to teach in special schools.25 27
A teacher training course for special education (an advanced course) can be taken after completing an initial higher vocational/professional education (HBO) institution course or university course - usually primary or secondary school teacher training. Students can specialise in a particular field of work (e.g. teaching children with hearing disabilities or maladjusted children) and are awarded a qualification with the relevant endorsement. This training is not compulsory; it is still possible to work in special education with an ordinary teaching qualification. Although not obligatory, a growing number of mainstream teachers have a special education certificate.25 27
The Faculty of Education at the University of Professional Education, Utrecht (HvU) is one of the largest teacher training institutes in the Netherlands and has a department of Special Education.28
The following SEN courses are available in the Faculty:
Further information about the University of Professional Education, Utrecht (HvU) is available at http://www.hvu.nl/
There are also extensive opportunities for in-service training and, although this is not obligatory, most teachers in special schools take advantage of these. Due to integration policies, the number of in-service special needs education courses is increasing. Every year, the competent authority draws up an in-service training plan for staff.25 11 20 27
See 4.5.4. in addition for information about teachers working with students with special educational needs.
The institutions providing the training decide whether or not a candidate will be admitted to a course.25
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT PRESENT.
There are no full-time teacher training courses for special education. Initial teacher training courses include an introduction to educating students with special educational needs (SEN). It is possible to specialise by following an advanced course specialising in SEN (after initial teacher training) or by following an in-service teacher training course in SEN. Due to integration policies, the number of in-service special needs training courses is increasing.11 20 27
The Faculty of Education, Utrecht University of Professional Education (http://www.hvu.nl/), offers an in-service course for teachers and education practitioners, leading to the Diploma in Special Educational Needs. It is a part-time course and takes two years to complete.29
Six modules are studied in each academic year. The modules for the specialisation 'Teacher for special primary education' are:
1. Special education
2. Organisation of special education
3. Planned education
4. Learning problems
5. Social skills
6. Behavioural problems
7. Pupils from ethnic/cultural minorities
It is possible to work in the field of special education with an ordinary teaching qualification. It is not compulsory to hold a special education qualification, although most teachers in special schools take advanced training courses (in-service or professional) to further their professional knowledge. Although not obligatory, a growing number of mainstream teachers also have a special education certificate.25 11 20 27
There are no full-time teacher training courses for special education. Initial teacher training courses include an introduction to educating students with special educational needs (SEN). It is possible to specialise by following an advanced course specialising in SEN (after initial teacher training) or by following an in-service teacher training course in SEN.11 20 27
As advanced courses in special needs education are usually taken by practising teachers, there are no probationary periods after following advanced SEN courses or in-service training courses. For information about probationary periods after initial teacher training (ITT), see sections 7.1.5.2, 7.2.5.2, 7.3.5.2, and 7.4.5.2. of the mainstream Netherlands archive.
See 7.5.5.2.
For information about induction periods after initial teacher training (ITT) for mainstream education, see sections 7.1.6, 7.2.6, 7.3.6. and 7.4.6.
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT PRESENT.
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT PRESENT.
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT PRESENT.
Current research focuses mainly on ADHD and autism and the results will be used in the initial teacher training of teachers of children with special educational needs. Specifically, the research aims to encourage improved handling of children who have such problems.30
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT PRESENT.
There are no recruitment incentives paid to encourage individuals to train as teachers of children with special educational needs, as special needs training mostly takes the form of in-service, post-qualification SEN courses for existing practising teachers.
However, the system of personal budgets in the Netherlands enables each child with SEN (in primary and secondary schools) to receive a 'personal budget', which 'travels' with the child to each school they attend. Schools can use this money to pay for extra help for the child, which can include the financing of special needs training for teachers.25