Parliamentary.ai

Overview

This bill mandates that all teacher training programs in England include specific training on special educational needs (SEN). The training will cover common learning disabilities, basic child development, and recognizing when specialist help is needed.

Description

The Teacher Training (Special Educational Needs) Bill requires the Secretary of State to create and publish statutory guidance for accredited initial teacher training providers. This guidance must ensure that trainee teachers receive training covering:

• Awareness of common learning disabilities (including autism, moderate learning difficulties, behavioral/emotional/social difficulties, dyslexia, speech/language needs, and others as defined by the Secretary of State).
• Awareness of basic child development or psychology.
• Understanding of common learning disabilities, enabling them to support students and determine when specialist help is required.
• Awareness that students may have learning disabilities unfamiliar to them.

The bill defines "accredited initial teacher training providers" and "initial teacher training" according to the Education (School Teachers’ Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2003. The Act applies only to England and comes into effect two months after being passed.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. However, the cost of creating and distributing the guidance, as well as the indirect costs for teacher training providers to implement the new requirements, will need to be considered.

Groups Affected

The bill directly affects:

• Accredited initial teacher training providers: They are required to incorporate the new training into their programs.
• Trainee teachers: They will receive mandatory training on special educational needs.
• Students with special educational needs: They will potentially benefit from better-prepared teachers.
• The Secretary of State: Responsible for creating and publishing the statutory guidance.