Special education refers to the education of students with mild, moderate or severe disabilities and those who are gifted and talented.
The Standards for Special Education help ensure the education system meets the needs of all learners - and that all learners have access to high quality education. Special Education requirements apply to grades 1-12 in all public and separate school boards, excluding charter schools.
Similar requirements for Early Childhood Services (ECS) children are outlined in Standards for the Provision of Early Childhood Special Education. Requirements for students with special education needs in accredited-funded private schools are described in Requirements for Special Education in Accredited-Funded Private Schools.
Every student or ECS child identified with special education needs must have an individualized program plan (IPP) and/or an instructional support plan (ISP).
School principals are responsible for ensuring the school has processes and a learning team in place to provide consultation, planning and problem-solving related to programming for students and children with special education needs. The principal assigns teachers to coordinate, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate student IPPs/ISPs. The teacher involves parents and, when appropriate, other teachers and students in this process.