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;

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 is seeking 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.

Please consider the following questions when submitting your input:

Thank you to all who responded with feedback by the deadline via our blog, by email and/or by attending one of the two public consultations (held on October 19th, 2011).


Additional Information

• View Input Received on Special Education Policy

• To find out more visit the Policy Reviews webpage and read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please continue to visit the page for any additional information that may be posted prior to the Consultation on October 19th.
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is the review scheduled for?

The Special Education Policy review will take place from May to October 2011, with a proposed policy being presented to Board in November 2011.

2. What are Policies?

Policies are focused statements of intent, governing principles, or end results that serve to guide the overarching operations of our Board, and are flexible enough to deal with diverse situation while ensuring consistency across all schools. Policy does not describe how the results are attained. More information on policies can be found on the Policies, Procedures and Forms webpage.

3. Who is on the review team?

Members of the review team include 3 Trustees of the board who have considerable experience in policy and/or in special education, and 2 members of the Special Education Advisory Committee. Additionally, OCDSB staff members provide support due to their experience and expert knowledge of Special Education in Ontario, and of policy development.

4. When are Review Committee meetings and can the public attend?

The Ad-Hoc Committee meetings are open to the public and take place from 5-7pm, twice a month before the Business Services meeting. Minutes of each meeting can be found with the agenda material for the next meeting.

You will find up-coming meetings listed on the OCDSB website.

5. Where can the existing policy on Special Education be found?

The existing policy (P.096.SES Special Education Programs and Services) can be found under Special Education/Student Services (SES), Policies, on the OCDSB policies page.

Please continue to check this website often for updated information.