Additional Support for Learning in Scotland -- 2004 to 2024
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| Title: | Additional Support for Learning in Scotland -- 2004 to 2024 |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Alan J. Marsh (ORCID |
| Source: | Scottish Educational Review. 2025 55(1-2):38-66. |
| Availability: | BRILL. Plantijnstraat 2, 2321 JC Leiden, the Netherlands. e-mail: apse.journal@gmail.com; e-mail: support-programmanagement@brill.com; Web site: https://brill.com/view/journals/ser/ser-overview.xml |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 29 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Special Education, Educational Change, Special Needs Students, Educational Policy, Statistical Analysis, Benchmarking, Equalization Aid, Trend Analysis, Expenditures, School Districts, Academic Accommodations (Disabilities), Government Role, Inclusion, Mainstreaming |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom (Scotland) |
| DOI: | 10.1163/27730840-bja10013 |
| ISSN: | 0141-9072 2773-0840 |
| Abstract: | There was a fundamental reform of special educational needs policy in Scotland with the ratification of the 2004 Education (Additional Support for Learning) (ASL) (Scotland) Act. This paper explores official statistics from 2008-2023 by examining variations in additional support needs (ASN) and funding across the 32 Local Authorities (LAs). The LAs have been grouped into family clusters using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation to provide a baseline for benchmarking. The findings indicate a six-fold increase in ASN since 2008, with a trendline projecting towards 50% of all pupils by 2033. Referrals to the Tribunal are rising whilst the low rates of the statutory co-ordinated support plans have decreased. ASL expenditure has grown by 27% in real terms since 2013, encompassing a significant difference in ASL spend of £18 million between similar Authorities. The discussion considers the findings within the context of the 2024 Scottish Parliament's ASL Inquiry report. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1465073 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | There was a fundamental reform of special educational needs policy in Scotland with the ratification of the 2004 Education (Additional Support for Learning) (ASL) (Scotland) Act. This paper explores official statistics from 2008-2023 by examining variations in additional support needs (ASN) and funding across the 32 Local Authorities (LAs). The LAs have been grouped into family clusters using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation to provide a baseline for benchmarking. The findings indicate a six-fold increase in ASN since 2008, with a trendline projecting towards 50% of all pupils by 2033. Referrals to the Tribunal are rising whilst the low rates of the statutory co-ordinated support plans have decreased. ASL expenditure has grown by 27% in real terms since 2013, encompassing a significant difference in ASL spend of £18 million between similar Authorities. The discussion considers the findings within the context of the 2024 Scottish Parliament's ASL Inquiry report. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0141-9072 2773-0840 |
| DOI: | 10.1163/27730840-bja10013 |
