1. SPECIAL EDUCATION POLICY AND PROGRAMS OVERVIEW October, 2006 Ministry of Education

2. 2 Special Education Demographics In the 2004/05 school boards reported: –13.65% of the total student population was receiving special education programs and services. 8.96% was identified “exceptional” by an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) and 4.70% was not formally identified as exceptional. –100,872 (7.08%) elementary and 89,400 (12.87%) secondary students were formally identified as exceptional by an IPRC. –78,343 (5.49%) elementary and 21,390 (3.06%) secondary students were not formally identified as exceptional, but were reported to be receiving special education programs and services. Approximately 82% of students receiving special education are placed in regular classrooms.

3. 3 Current Ministry of Education Strategic Directions Goals: High levels of student achievement: - literacy and numeracy initiatives – 75% target by 2008 - student success/learning to age 18 strategy – 85% graduation target by 2010 Reduced gaps in student achievement Increased public confidence and support for public education Activities: Identifying and supporting effective teaching, learning and assessment practices Identifying and supporting effective gap-reducing practices Engaging students, families and communities in building a supportive learning environment Increasing system effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and responsiveness

4. 4 Strategic Goals for Special Education Improved outcomes for range of students receiving special education. Programming that is linked to the Ontario Curriculum and the Provincial Report Card. Increased capacity of schools to effectively meet the needs of a wide range of learners in regular classrooms Cooperative connections between schools and families of children facing learning challenges; promoting a positive environment Improved balance between a focus on teaching and learning, and the need for appropriate process, documentation and accountability

5. 5 What will be different? Changing Paradigms in Special Education Focus on Administrative Process Focus on Compliance Model of Reaction Focus on Access to Special Education Focus on Access to Special Education Focus on Student Learning and Assessing Progress Focus on Accountability for Results Focus on Accountability for Results Model of Prevention Focus on Access to Education Increasing Emphasis on Research-Based Instructional Practices

6. 6 Ministry Response to Working Table Recommendations – June 2006 ACTIONOBJECTIVES Streamlined Identification and Review Committee (IPRC) process. Removal of barriers that delay special education programs and services. Increased efficiency of human resources by redirecting focus from administrative process to improved student outcomes. Reinforce Ministry’s IEP Policy - Review of IEPs  Enhanced focus on student achievement  Increased the capacity of teachers to measure improvement in student outcomes.  Improved communication of programming and student progress for parents. Revise school boards’ Special Education Plans  Focus on target setting for improved student learning and program outcomes.  Increased school board efficiency through fewer Ministry reporting mechanism. Informal Dispute Resolution and Pilot Mediation Process Satisfactory resolution of disputes regarding provision of special education programs and services.  Improved communication between schools and parents regarding student progress. Establish a reference group on Autism Spectrum Disorders  Identification of effective practices and opportunities for knowledge transfer Establish a Special Education Program and Financial Pilot Review to determine program effectiveness and efficient use of resources.  Evidence of special education program effectiveness, and human resource and financial efficiency in school boards related to: - measures of student achievement; - efficient practices/effectiveness of system delivery (administrative); - parent engagement; - efficient practices/effectiveness of programming; - teacher capacity; and - efficient practices/effectiveness of system delivery (financial). Establish a new funding model for special education.  Continuation of the Special Education per pupil Amount (SEPPA).  Conversion of each board’s current High Needs Amount into a board-specific per pupil amount that would be multiplied by board enrolment.  Conversion of the current Special Incidence Portion (SIP) process to SIP Plus.  Use of high needs proxy amounts by 2009-10.

7. 7 What Will Be Different? Reduced waiting time for programs and services where the labelling process is used as barrier. (Streamlined IPRC) Less time spent by schools on paper work and meetings. More time on assessing needs and developing appropriate programming. (Streamlined IPRC) Reduced waiting times for student assessments and enhanced teacher capacity to provide effective programs for students. (Ontario Psychological Association Assessment Project) Measurable performance indicators for schools to monitor student achievement. (IEP) Aggregate student performance data to inform school boards’ programming decisions. (IEP) Clearer information for parents on student outcomes and related programs/services. (IEP) Public reporting by school boards on target setting and results regarding improved student achievement. (School Board Improvement Plans) Access for parents to informal dispute resolution processes at the school/school board level to resolve disagreements regarding programs and services. (Informal Dispute Resolution/Mediation) Fewer complaints made by parents to the courts and Ontario Human Rights Commission. (Informal Dispute Resolution/Mediation) Better evidence-based information for school/school boards on effective practices. (Autism Reference Group, CODE Special Education Projects, and Geneva Centre for Autism Project) Better information for the Ministry and school boards on decision making practices that relate to program delivery and funding allocations. (Review/Audit) Discontinuation of Net New Needs Claims Process to generate the High Needs Amount of the Special Education Grant. (GSN Announcement) Conversion of current SIP Funding Model to SIP Plus process. (GSN Announcement)

8. 8 CODE Special Education Projects Support the implementation of Education of All. Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) received $25M from the Ministry of Education to support school board innovative projects in 2005/06 that improve instruction and assessment practices for a diverse range of learners, particularly in the areas of numeracy and literacy. 85 projects addressed areas such as early identification and intervention, instructional strategies, curriculum-based assessment, progress reporting based on measurable achievement, Universal Design, differentiated instruction, effective professional learning communities, web-based instruction and assistive technology. For 2006/07 CODE has been provided with an additional $25M to support professional development that enhances the capacity of teachers and others to effectively improve outcomes for students with special education needs.

9. 9 Other Special Education Funded Projects $20M for the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) to work with school boards to reduce waiting times for students (K-4) requiring assessments and to enhance the capacity of teachers to provide effective programs for students. $5M for the Geneva Centre for Autism to deliver training for teacher assistants working with students who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.