The Special Education Unit (SEU) at Aldridge High commenced as such at the beginning of 2001 supporting 15 students with disabilities at both Aldridge and Maryborough State High Schools. It was established to address the educational support needs of students diagnosed with a recognised disability in one or in a combination of the following disability areas: Intellectual Impairment (II), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Speech Language Impairment (SLI), Hearing Impairment (HI), Physical Impairment (PI) and/or Visual Impairment (VI).

The SEU is staffed with a Head of Special Education Services, Special Education Teachers, Teacher Aides and an Administration Assistant. Students within the Unit have access to the services of specialist support staff such as, a Speech Language Pathologist, an Occupational Therapist, Advisory Visiting Teachers (AVT) for each disability area, a School Transition Officer (STO) and Guidance Officer (GO).

Each student who has been verified with a disability is assigned a Case Manager (special education teacher), who has primary responsibility for issues resulting from the student’s disability. The case manager’s role includes: establishing an Education Adjustment Profile (EAP) for the student, writing, monitoring and reporting on Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals, liaising with parents/ carers, teachers and specialist staff, convening meetings, modifying assignments/ examinations, providing assignment and homework support, monitoring teacher aide support and providing specific information about the disability etc.

Teacher aide duties include providing support to students in class and in the playground, assisting students with the completion of assignments, reading/ scribing for examinations and supporting students with disabilities on alternate education programs and at work experience. Currently there is a teacher aide off line supporting students who experience problems associated with their disability.

Most students with disabilities access mainstream curriculum with support and with the content and assessment modified according to their needs. However, there is an alternate program offered to meet the needs of students who are unable to successfully access the mainstream curriculum. Variation to student programs, modifications and alternate assessment methods are a result of a consultative process between class teacher, special education staff, parents/ carers and most importantly the student.

In term three this year the special education staff will move into a purpose built facility on ground level which will be more accessible and provide better teaching areas to support the needs of all students.

Current special education staff include:
• Keith McDonald – Head of Special Education Services.
• Ron Townsend – Special Education Teacher.
• Sharon Coyne – Special Education Teacher.
• Ray Johnson – Special Education Teacher.
• Alison Senior – Special Education Teacher.
• Trevor Lidster – Special Education Teacher.
• Julie Cairns – Special Education Teacher.
• Marcia Jones – Special Education Teacher.
• Coralie Gunn – Special Education Teacher.
• Christine Cattell – Special Education Teacher.
• Linda Phersson – Teacher Aide.
• Lou Jackson – Teacher Aide.
• Wendy Dowzer – Teacher Aide.
• Wendy Yeates – Teacher Aide.
• Judy Skennar – Teacher Aide.
• Sue Stevensen – Teacher Aide.
• Heather Robertson – Teacher Aide.
• Melissa Emery – Teacher Aide.
• Amanda Osmond – Teacher Aide.
• John Nicholls – Teacher Aide.
• Paul Kerby – Teacher Aide.
• Juanita Zampech– Teacher Aide.
• Tracey Greentree – Teacher Aide.
• Meredith Simpson – Administration Assistant.