The term placement is often used interchangeably with program. The program is the plan identified in the IEP and may include reference to a placement-- the physical space in which the program is delivered. The Ministry of Education requires that boards maintain a range of placements. IPRCs select the placement that best meets the students’ needs and the parents’ wishes. The options for placement include:

• placement in a regular class with withdrawal for part of the day to receive special services or special education instruction by a qualified special education teacher,
• placement in a special education class for part or all of the school day,
• referral to a provincial committee for consideration of eligibility for admission to one of the Provincial Schools,
• placement in a regular class with support such as an educational assistant or modification to a program,
• placement in a regular class with withdrawal to a class delivered by a qualified special education teacher, such as learning centre,
• placement in a congregated class with other students with similar exceptionalities with a special education teacher, such as Learning Disabilities or Gifted classes, and
• placement in a congregated class with students with different types of exceptionalities.
  

Boards may also have a range of programs such as learning centers, Reading Recovery, SERT (Special Education Resource Teachers) or literacy programs that are provided for students who are struggling but may not have been formally identified as special needs students. Funding for these programs may come from the Special Education Per Pupil Amount (SEPPA) or from other special purpose grants.