This month I have been visiting International Schools in Hong Kong that offers learning support as part of inclusion within the schools.
I have visited the following schools and meet some wonderful people along the way:
Feb 7th : Korean International School, The Springboard Project, Mrs Lynne Thomson
Feb 9th : International Christian School, Bridges Program, Ms Maggie Chan, Admission Officer and Dr. Schmidt the Director of Student Services.
Feb 22nd: ESF Beacon Hill Primary School, Ms B of SEN admission
The Springboard Project has a good 16 years run and still continuing, but according to Mrs Thomson the project still remains at the level of 16 years ago when it started. There was no improvement made within the 16 years because of lack of funding or some other reasons. The students are mixed age group at different level in academics. There are 10 students currently in the program. I have actually met some of them at Rehabilitation Consultants.
International Christian School is changing their Bridges Program and currently it is their first year trial run and they are amending as they are doing. It used to be that their Bridges Program are only for the low IQs students and now they are starting to be similar to what ESF is doing with their tier program. They have 3 tier level from mild to severe. I like the fact they have a non academic approach to reach out to the students in self help skills like cooking and grocery shopping. I feel that this could only benefit all not just students in the Bridges Program. It should be implemented school wide to have children look at food at the different light.
(Just a side story here: I was having a chat with my God's brother's dad and he said there is a French cooking class at Stanford University and that class is always full and there is a waiting list ... Imagine a class that is hands on and interesting and that you can really apply to daily usage.)
ESF Beacon Hill Primary School is very involved with how they implement the inclusion program. Because you don't want the SEN students to feel that they are students there but be separated from the rest of the mainstream. They have a 6 tier program.
Hong Kong as progressive as it may seem still lack supporting of Non Cantonese speakers in area of SEN support.
