Special education is a specific type of general education. Special education provides possibilities and conditions for students with special needs to obtain education compliant with their health status, abilities and development level. At the same time the educational psychological and medical correction as well as preparation for work and life within the society is ensured.
Any educational establishment is entitled to licence special education programs if there is a compliant environment and qualified personnel at the school for providing high quality education to students with special needs.
It is possible to gain the special education both in specialised and general educational establishments, where corresponding educational programs compliant with the students’ needs are licensed.
The procedure of admission and exclusion of students in special educational establishments is defined by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Students with special needs may be integrated within general basic education and secondary education establishments, where there are compliant provisions made. The provisions of such school in compliance to the special needs is defined by the Cabinet of Ministers. Special education programs are implemented based upon conclusions by pedagogic medical commissions.
Assessment of students’ study achievements within special education programs is performed in compliance to the national standards of the basic education and general secondary education. The assessment of students with learning difficulties is performed in compliance to the special procedure set by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Certificate on basic education or Attestation on secondary education and Achievements Sheet is issued to students who have completed special education programs.
The National Special Education Centre was established on April 2, 2007. It is a direct administration institution under the supervision of the Minister of Education and Science. The goal of the Centre is to encourage completion of education compliant to students’ abilities, health situation and development, as well as to coordinate the operation of the special education support system in Latvia. During the first six months of operation one of the tasks of the centre was to ensure continuity of operation of the National Pedagogic Medical Commission at the end of academic year 2006/ 2007 and in the beginning of the new academic year. The Centre has been operating at full capacity since July 25, 2007 when the Centre Director Guntis Vasiļevskis commenced his work there.
