Achievement in mainstream schools
The Minister confirmed the report showed higher achievement in ordinary schools and cited research suggesting some mentally handicapped children progress better in normal classes. Bruton noted fewer physically handicapped children were receiving special education outside ordinary schools; the Minister lacked figures but said progress had been strong.
I do not know the report to which the Minister referred but is he correct when he says that the handicapped in ordinary day schools have a higher rate of achievement?
Comment on this
The report shows that. I do not want to enlarge on the scope of the question, except with the indulgence of the Chair, but there is even some scientific research evidence to show that the mentally handicapped in certain circumstances make better progress in normal classes than they do if they are taken out of them and put into classes specially geared for them.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware there has been a fairly substantial decline in the number of physically handicapped children receiving special education apart from normal schools in recent years? There has been an increase in the number attending normal schools.