The following information is provided to assist parents/guardians/caregivers in understanding the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) process, and is based on requirements set out in Ontario Regulation 181/98 of the Education Act.

For ease of reading, where the term "parent" is used in this document, it refers to parents, guardian and caregivers of student under 18 years of age, or to student 18 years or older. All references to "days" means "school days" not "calendar days".

An IPRC is the only process by which a pupil can be identified as "exceptional" and therefore becomes entitled to "Special Education programs" and "Special Education services". Your child may still be able to receive remedial help through the school if he/she is having some difficulty, but the IPRC is the official method of "legally entitling" students to Special Education.

The IPRC process is a cooperative one between the school and parents in an effort to ensure that the student has the support and resources necessary to be successful and to reach his or her full potential.

Parents must be given 10 days written notice of the actual time and place of any IPRC meeting regarding their child. The decisions of an IPRC are reviewed at least once a year at either the parent's or the school's request. The time of any meeting should be convenient to you and the school, and you may suggest an alternate time, if necessary.

A parent is entitled to be present and participate in all IPRC discussions about a child and should make every effort to attend IPRC meetings. A parent has the right to have a representative present at an IPRC meeting, and that representative may speak on the parent's behalf or be present to support the parent.

The Chair of an IPRC must consider any information submitted to it by the parent (doctor's diagnosis, assessments conducted by other professionals). All parties should share relevant information in advance of the meeting, whenever possible.

After making its decision, the Chair of the IPRC must send a written statement of decision to a parent. If everyone is in agreement, the statement of decision is often signed at the IPRC meeting and a copy given to the parent.

The statement of decision must include:

a) whether the Committee has identified the pupil as exceptional;

b) where the Committee has identified the pupil as exceptional, the decision must include:

i) the Committee's description of the pupil's strengths and needs;

ii) the categories and definitions of exceptionalities identified;

iii) the Committee's placement decision; and

iv) the Committee's recommendations, if any, regarding Special Education programs and services.

A key element of the IPRC decision is the proper identification of the child's learning needs. The Statement of Needs on the IPRC document should accurately reflect the areas in which special education support is required. There is no limit on the number of needs that may be included on the IPRC document.

If a parent does not agree with the decision, the parent should not sign the IPRC statement of decision at the meeting. The parent may, by written notice to the Chair of the IPRC, request a further meeting with the Committee. That request must be given to the Chair of the Committee within 15 days of the parent's receipt of the IPRC decision.

After the second meeting, the Committee Chair must inform the parent as soon as possible in writing whether any changes have been made to the IPRC decision. If there have been changes, the letter must include a revised statement of decision together with written reasons for the change.

If a parent still does not agree with the IPRC decision following the second meeting, a parent has the right to appeal the decision. A parent must file an appeal with the Secretary of the board within 30 days of the original date of the IPRC decision, or if a subsequent meeting was held, within 15 days of the parent's receipt of the notice by the Chair of the Committee that either a change in the IPRC decision has been made or no change has been made.

A notice of appeal must state the decisions with which a parent disagrees and describe the nature of the disagreement.

A board cannot implement a placement decision made by an IPRC unless the parent consents, or the time for filing an appeal from the IPRC decision has expired (30 days).

For further information you may refer to the Ministry of Education document, “Special Education: A Guide for Educators”, available on-line at:

www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/guide.html

We are grateful for permission from the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for allowing us to reprint their information here.