OCDSB Review of Special Education Policy
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is in the process of revising its existing Special Education policy. The committee coordinating the policy review is committed to developing a policy which promotes and protects educational practices which support the unique learning needs of students with exceptionalities. The review will also help to align the policy with provincial directives.
On 22 February 2011 the Board directed staff to establish a Special Education Policy Ad Hoc Committee to review and consult on the Special Education Policy.
Moved by Trustee Funiciello, seconded by Trustee FitzGerald,
A. THAT the Board strike a Special Education Policy Ad-hoc Committee to review and consult on the OCDSB special education policy draft, including reviewing the policy implications of any concerns with respect to specialized class location, wait list management, identification rates, IEP / IPRC protocols, and related communication protocols, and to provide its recommendations as to draft policy changes, including any specific policy directives or procedural recommendations, to the Education Committee by November 2011;
Providing Input
On 13 September 2011 the Board approved the Consultation Plan to "request input regarding possible changes to Policy P.096.SES Special Education Programs and Services, which is the governing policy for special education, and such other suggestions that may be provided on the delivery of special education".
The public is invited to provide input on the draft revised policy. Specifically, the OCDSB sought input regarding areas in which it is believed that policy needs to be changed, or new policy statements need to be developed. Subsequent to the development of a draft policy, the public will be invited to comment on that draft prior to its presentation to Board for approval.
The following questions were considered:
- What do you like about the policy?
- What do you not like about the policy?
- What is missing in the policy?
- If you have identified a problem, can you suggest solutions?
- What other suggestions do you have on the delivery of special education?
We received input via our blog, by email and from participants who attended one of the two public consultations on October 19, 2011
Additional Information
View Input Received on Special Education Policy
The Committee has seen unredacted versions of every letter received of every kind for review and genuinely values and thanks every person who has taken the time to provide input. All comments will be taken down from the website after the Committee’s report has been received by Board in February 2012.
What we heard from you during the consultation 
To find out more visit the
Policy Reviews webpage and read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).