CSDS

Enrolment

Coburg Special Developmental School provides educational programs for students with disability and high needs who have an intellectual disability.

By law in Victoria all children from the age of 6 up until they turn 17 years must be enrolled at a registered school or registered for home schooling unless they have a reasonable excuse. School participation maximises life opportunities for children and young people by providing them with a comprehensive educational program and access to support networks. It also helps to develop important skills, knowledge and values that set them up for further learning and active participation in their local community.

Specialist schools, including Coburg Special Developmental School have been established to cater for the specific educational needs of students with a disability or with additional needs. Under State and Federal discrimination law, specialist schools are permitted to set specific enrolment criteria and to not enrol students who do not meet these criteria.
The following enrolment criteria have been specified and approved by the Regional Director, North Western Victoria Region (as the Minister’s delegate) under section 2.2.16(b) of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic).
The enrolment criteria have been determined based on the identified education needs of students in the community. A student’s enrolment will be reviewed periodically in line with their needs.

Students seeking to enrol must have:

Intellectual Disability

A diagnosis of Intellectual Disability from a registered psychologist evidenced by:

A.Sub-average general intellectual functioning which is demonstrated by a full-scale score of two standard deviations or more below the mean score on a standardised individual test of general intelligence, (for example a full scale score of 70 or below on one of the recommended standardised individual tests of intelligence);
and

B.Significant deficits in adaptive behaviour established by a composite score of two   standard deviations or more below the mean on an approved standardised test of adaptive behaviour,(for example a Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales composite score of 70 or below);

and

C.A history and evidence of an ongoing problem with an expectation of continuation during the school years.

In addition, students must meet the enrolment criteria of Coburg Special Developmental School to enrol.
Full scale IQ score must be at least three standard deviations below the mean on a standardised individual test of general intelligence ( ie.a full scale score of 50 or below).
Applications from students who do not meet the above criteria will be considered on a case-by- case basis by the region, in consultation with the Principal, in consideration of the student’s education and support needs. The Regional Director, North Western Victoria Region must approve enrolments for students who do not meet the eligibility criteria.
More information is available within the school’s Enrolment Policy.