THE NORTHERN IRELAND RESOURCE FILE AND ASPIRE

The paper begins by identifying issues as to how initial teacher training and in-service training for teachers inadequately prepares them for teaching the pupils with special educational needs (SEN). The paper then provides a brief legislative background to SEN in the Northern Ireland context, before describing two elements of educational reform in relation to SEN; a Department of Education review, and the Capacity Building Project. The latter was responsible for designing and delivering professional development for school leaders and teachers, and also the creation of the Resource File and ASPIRE document. The ASPIRE document uses action research principles to enhance teacher engagement with the Resource File.