What is an IPRC? Regulation 181/98 of Education Act All school boards must set up IPRC Identification, Placement and Review Committee School boards must provide or purchase special education programs and services for exceptional students

IPRC Composed of at least three persons One must be principal or supervisory officer of the board

Role Decide whether or not student should be identified as exceptional Identify areas of exceptionality, using categories and definitions from Ministry Decide an appropriate placement Review identification and placement at least once in each school year

Who is exceptional? “A pupil whose behavioral, communicational, intellectual, physical or multiple exceptionalities are such that he or she is considered to need placement in a special education program…”

What is a special education program? Defined in Education Act Based on and modified by the results of continuous assessment and evaluation Includes a plan (Individual Education Plan:IEP) containing specific objectives and an outline of special education services that meet the needs of the exceptional pupil

What are special education services? Defined in Education Act Facilities and resources, including support personnel and equipment, necessary for developing and implementing a special education program

What is an IEP? Must be developed for a student in consultation with the parent Specific educational expectations Outline of special education program and services that will be received Statement about the methods by which student’s progress will be reviewed

What is an IEP? Students 14 years and older( except gifted), a plan for transition to appropriate to post secondary school activities, e.g. work, further education, community living IEP must be completed within 30 days after the student has been placed in the program and the principal must ensure the parent receives a copy

How is IPRC Meeting Requested? Principal: Must request IPRC meeting for student, upon receiving written request from parent With written notice to parent, refer to IPRC when principal and teacher believe the student may benefit from a special education program

How is IPRC Meeting Requested? Within 15 days provide copy of board’s Parents’ Guide to Special Education, acknowledge parent’s request and a written statement of approximately when the IPRC will meet

May parents attend the IPRC? Regulation 181/98 entitles parents and students 16 years and older: to be present at and participate in all committee discussions about the student to be present when the committee’s identification and placement decision is made

Who else may attend? Principal of student’s school other resource people, e.g classroom teacher, special education staff, board support staff, representative of an agency, who may provide further information or clarification

Who else may attend? representative of parent or student 16 years+ to provide support or speak on behalf of parent or student an interpreter, if one is required, e.g. sign language, oral, specific language

Who may request that others attend? Either the parent or principal

What information will parents receive about IPRC meeting? At least 10 days in advance chair will provide written notification of the meeting and an invitation to attend Provide notification of the date, time and place of the meeting Ask parents to indicate whether they will attend

What information will parents receive about IPRC meeting? Before IPRC meeting, parent receives written copy of any information about their child that the chair of the IPRC has received May include results of assessments or a summary of information

If parents are unable to attend... Principal arranges alternate date or time OR Principal forwards to parent as soon as possible after the meeting, for consideration and signature, IPRC’s written statement of decision regarding identification and placement and any recommendations regarding programs and services

The IPRC Meeting Chair introduces everyone and explains purpose of meeting IPRC reviews all information about the student Consider: educational, health or psychological assessment

The IPRC Meeting Interview the student with parent’s permission, if less than 16 years old Consider information submitted by parent or student 16 years+ Discuss special education program/ services Parents encouraged to participate Make a decision

Placement Decision Before placement in a special education class, must consider whether placement in regular class with special education services will: meet the student’s needs be consistent with parental preferences Special education placement-requires written statement of reasons

Written Statement of Decision Whether student is exceptional Where the student is exceptional Categories and definitions of exceptionality Description of student strengths/weaknesses Placement decision Recommendations for program/services Reasons for special education placement

What next? If parent agrees with decision, sign statement If student exceptional, board notifies principal of the need for an IEP

Review Review IPRC meeting held within the school year unless parent cancels Parent may request review IPRC meeting any time after child has been in special education program for 3 months Review same type of information as original meeting

Review Consider progress in relation to IEP with parental written permission Review placement and identification decisions and decide whether to continue or make a new decision

Decision If parent does not agree: within 15 days of receipt of decision request a second meeting within 30 days of receipt of decision file a notice of appeal with the secretary of the board Notice of appeal within 15 days of decision after second meeting

Decision If parent does not consent but does not appeal, board will instruct principal to implement decision