The History
The latest version of the program began in 2004. The tuition support program takes the funding unit ($6600.00 for 2008/09) normally allocated to the student’s home school board and transfers it to one of the 3 approved special education schools in Nova Scotia. Initially the program was limited to 2 years, however due to significant pressure from EEANS and other organizations, the government agreed to extend the program to 3 years and review the program in its entirety.
Currently the program requires the applicant to be: A) enrolled in a public Nova Scotia school for at least 1 full year, B) have a Individual Program Plan issued by the public school system, C) be diagnosed with a learning disability D) be accepted for the coming school year by an approved special education school. Applicants must download and complete the application forms from the Department of Education web site. The application date for the 2008/09 school year is March 1st. however late applications are often accepted if the student otherwise qualifies.
The Facts
- Because the program allows the basic education funding unit to follow the student, the program appears revenue neutral to the taxpayer.
- Each student enrolled in the program is one less student trying to access over-suscribed special needs programing in the public system, thereby improving service delievery to public system students not requiring this level of support.
- The program has a supplement feature to assist low income families. The supplement will top up the tuition support amount to a maxium of 90% of the full tuition cost.
The Current Status (updated April '10)
April 14th, 2010 report from Wade Brummet
The Minister's Review of Services for Students with Special Needs
The Department of Education will hire a learning disabilities consultant, who will review the latest research and best practices from around the world related to learning disabilities, and work closely with specialists inside and outside the department.
Minister's Review Website:
Home | Background | Purpose | Committee | Schedule | Participation
Link to Government of NS - information on Tuition Support
Below are some common questions that the transistion to a 4 year program may generate. Answers (in green) have been provided by program administrator Gaye Rawding.
1. Will applications previously denied for 08/09 based on 4th year status be automatically approved? (YES however, they should re-apply with a letter saying that they are still interested as many may have registered in other programs and will choose not continue, so I need to know who is still wanting the support -in writing All I will need is notification by email or note saying that they want their application re-activated.)
Email Gaye Rawding at: rawdingg@gov.ns.ca
2. Will students who did not bother to apply for a 4th year as it is currently outside the guidelines, be automatically accepted to a 4th year or do they need to apply? (They will be considered for renewal if they qualify and send in their application with all the required documentation -there is always a renewal application process for each year same steps apply to fourth year)
3. If a student did not apply to return to a designated special needs school because their funding had ended, will they be able to apply for funding if they can get a slot for the 08/09 year? (YES they can submit an application for a fourth year however there may not be space at the school where it is late in the year)
4. Will students who were forced to pay for a 4th year in 07/08 be compensated? If so, how? (NO there will not be retroactive payment.. the program didn’t exist. If the parents decide to apply for a fourth year renewal for their children to attend in the 2008-09 their applications will be considered) |
