"The special educational needs system is demonstrably no longer fit forpurpose."
This is the damning conclusion of MPs on Parliament's Education andSkills Select Committee after months of evidence gathering. Now thequestion everyone's asking is, "what next?".
Education secretary Alan Johnson is refusing to bow to pressure to holda major review of policy, saying: "We do not believe a completely freshlook at special educational needs at this time is the right way ofachieving the best outcomes for children." (Children Now, 12-18July).
But this could just be bravado. Indeed, the committee's own report saysthe Government "does seem to be reconsidering its policy inprivate".
The fact that the Department for Education and Skills has picked specialeducational needs as one area it would like significant additionalfunding for in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review is cited asevidence. The current set of parliamentary hearings on services fordisabled children, backed by the Treasury and DfES, is anotherindication change is afoot.
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