How can AO-SF procedures be optimized? - Expert opinion and stocktaking in NRW

The so-called AO-SF procedures are used in NRW to determine the need for support in the areas of language, emotional and social development, learning, mental development, vision, physical and motor development as well as hearing and communication in accordance with the Training Regulations - Special Educational Support (AO-SF). The results of a review commissioned by the MSB on these procedures indicate points of criticism. An initial press release can be viewed here and speaks of "inefficient, non-transparent and uncoordinated procedures", "lack of standardization" of the procedures and insufficient communication with the legal guardians of affected children.The report makes recommendations regarding the pooling of work and expertise in order to economize on time and money, as well as an emphatic reference to the long-known fact that preventive work in the elementary sector must be increased and expanded in order to prevent a further sharp increase in identified support needs among children in NRW.
Preventative support is an important part of teaching and research in the S&K team. We very much welcome the push towards optimizing the AO-SF procedures.
The expert reports produced as part of the review mandate can be viewed here:
Ausbildungsordnung sonderpädagogische Förderung (AO-SF) | Bildungsportal NRW (schulministerium.nrw)



