School is back in session - and for a lot of parents,
September also marks the beginning of new round of school meetings,
phone calls and school stress. Kids with special needs,
also known as exceptional or identified students, can have a
very tough time in school, and some spend a great deal of time out
of the classroom due to disciplinary actions such as
suspensions. To minimize the stress and be an effective
advocate, it's important for parents to understanding a bit about
how the system works. So here's a short primer on special
education:
Exceptional students are those
whose behavioural, communication, intellectual, physical or
multiple exceptionalities are such that he or she is in need of a
special education program. These students are
identified through a process
called IPRC, which stands for Identification and Placement Review
Committee. Either the parent or the school can request an
IPRC, and parents have the right to appeal a placement decision if
they disagree with it. The student is then placed on an IEP,
or Individual Education Plan, which outlines his or her special
learning needs and the strategies that will be used to meet those
needs. Special education placements are generally
one of five options, which include:
- regular classrooms with indirect support,
- regular classrooms with resource assistance (such as an
educational assistant),
- regular class with resource withdrawal (learning support
teacher),
- special class with reverse integration (where kids from regular
classes spend part of the day in a special education
classroom)
- a 100% special education classroom.
The IEP can include modifications or
accommodations, so that the special
education student might have more time to complete tests or
assignments (accommodation), or can have actual changes to
the provincial curriculum expectations (modifications).
All students have the right to attend school, and parents who
choose to home school can arrange a partial attendance agreement
with their school board (by mutual consent under PPM 131).
Children who are Crown Wards or under the supervision of the
Children's Aid Society have the right to attend the school in the
area in which they reside.
Kids who are identified as having behavioural exceptionalities
can include those with mental health issues and some developmental
disabilities, and can be particularly vulnerable to disciplinary
measures such as suspension, exclusion from class outings,
exclusion from recess, etc. Parents should be
especially vigilant to ensure that students are not being punished
for behaviours that are not within their control, or are symptoms
of the illness or disability. Principals must consider these
"mitigating circumstances" that result from the student's
diagnosis/condition in deciding how to impose discipline.
Handling school issues can be a very stressful experience and
sometimes parents are exasperated when dealing with them. If
tempers flare, parents are often surprised to find themselves
banned from school property and wonder if this is legal. The
answer is YES, it is!! So, do not, under any circumstances,
threaten or swear at school personnel, damage property, or
jeopardize in any other way your ability to be present at school
meetings or be an effective advocate for your child.
Finally, it's always helpful to get support from other parents
who know the system and have experience in handling school
issues. HOPE is a parent to parent program, run for and by
parents, and is open to all. For more information on HOPE and
how we can help, call 519-433-3101, ext. 179 or e-mail bmontmin@vanier.com
Happy New (school) Year!!
