Categories: All - education - iep - policies - students

by Adam Jackman 10 days ago

60

Supporting Special Eduction students in Ontario

Ontario's Education Act requires school boards to provide tailored special education programs for students identified as exceptional pupils based on continuous assessment and evaluation.

Supporting Special Eduction students in Ontario

Supporting Special Eduction students in Ontario

Legislation

Ontario's "Education Act" sets out the rules around special education in the province.
The Education Act requires school boards to provide special education programs and services to students who are identified as "exceptional pupils".

The special education program must include a "plan" (IEP) the contains the specific objectives and lists the educational services that will meet the needs of the student.

IEPs must identify each student's strengths and needs and the specific educational expectations they will work towards

An outline of the special education program and services the student will receive must also be listed

An IEP must be developed for every student who is identified as an "exceptional pupil" by the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC). Alternatively, an IEP can be developed for any student who requires a special education program to attend school, achieve curriculum expectations, or demonstrate learning.

Students with an IEP can receive Accommodations, and/or Modifications, and/or Alternative Expectations to be successful in achieving grade-level learning expectations

The special education program must be based on continuous assessment and evaluation of the student and should be modified (if needed) based on these assessments

An "exceptional pupil" is a pupil who has been identified as having one (or more) of the following exceptionalities: behavioural, communicational, intellectual, physical, or multiple.

Policies

There are a number of Policy and Program Memorandums (PPM) that relate to special education in Ontario. Some specific examples include:
PPM 156: "Supporting Transitions for Students with Special Education Needs" (effective transition plans support increased achievement and well-being for students with an IEP)
PPM 119: "Developing and Implementing Equity and Inclusive Education Policies in Ontario Schools" (developed to foster a positive school climate where all members of the community feel safe, included, welcomed, and accepted).
PPM 8: "Identification of and Program Planning for Students with Learning Disabilities" (outlines the requirements for identifying and supporting students identified as exceptional).