The SWANs/ABLES Project: A resource developed by and for teachers to support the teaching and learning of students with additional learning needs

Abstract

The inclusion of students with additional learning needs in schooling is part of policy and practice in Australia. However, it has been well documented that teachers lack the resources and training to meaningfully include students with additional learning needs in the full range of learning in their classrooms. The SWANs program of work aimed to fill this gap through the development of assessments based on learning progressions that provide teachers with targeted information to support the teaching and learning of all students including students with additional learning needs. The development and implementation of the SWANs/ABLES suite of resources illustrates how a practical assessment tool can support teachers to target the learning of students with additional learning needs regardless of their point of readiness to learn.