Month: November 2021

The Ministry of Education in Berlin (Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie – SenBJF) is part of the government of the federal state of Berlin, Germany. The SenBJF is i.a. responsible for the general education system and in part for the education of teachers in Berlin. Berlin has round about 660 schools in the general education system. The current strategic plan of the ministry contains a focus on student early school career. One focus of this road map is on transitions into school and transitions between primary and secondary schools.

Concerning students with special educational needs, Berlin offers various funding. Focussing on the individual allows different support options and distinguished options appropriate for the students need. For several years, school psychologists and special educators have been working together in district support centers to provide a level of support that is as uniform as possible to students with different needs for help and their parents. These centers are called “School psychology and inclusion education counseling and support centers” (SIBUZ). In two of the city’s 12 districts, diagnostic and counseling teachers work for the autism support program and are responsible for the advisory care of autistic children throughout Berlin. At present, six colleagues advice for 1400 children aged 5 to 18 years.

The Temple Grandin School is one of the famous schools in Berlin with focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The school is on the way to a school for all from grades 1 to 10. The Temple Grandin School’s successful work is supported by the following characteristics: a) Primary School: multi grade courses for all students from grades 1 to 3 and partly for grade 4 to 6; b) each class consists of 20 pupils of which up to 5 pupils may have disabilities that needs special help; c) special small classes: Contain up to 6 pupils with ASD that are being taught on the basis of the general curriculum of Berlin for grades 1 to 10; all-day-school special small classes: Pupils of all grades are being taught after the TEACCH-method.

Staff

Stephanie Ahl is the headmaster of the Temple Grandin School.

Anke Baumann is a teacher for special education at the Temple Grandin School.

Prof. Dr. Ulrike Becker is a former head master and teacher and is now leading the section for policy matters of primary schools.

Christiane Kose is the head of the division for policy matters of schools in the general education system. Previously, Christiane worked as a school supervisor, headmaster and teacher.

Renée Kundt is a teacher for special education and is delegated to the SenBJF to work in the section for policy matters of primary schools.

Kerstin Michlo is a teacher for special education with a focus on autism. She is working for the SIBUZ in Berlin and is counselling and diagnostic teacher at the Temple Grandin School.

Guido Schulz is member of the School Supervisory Board for the Temple Grandin School.

Dr. Katharina Thoren is an education researcher and is now leading the section for strategic quality improvement in Berlin schools.