OT - Special Education in Ontario

[pollioni]

Without going into too much detail on why but we have just requested an IPRC (Identification, Placement, and Review Committee) to be done on our son. I was wondering how long would it take for this process to start and how long an IEP (Individual Education Plan).
He is really struggling this year and have already been told by his teacher that his marks are going to suffer.


Any insight on how the entire process works would be greatly appreciated.

 

[twinmum]

Hello! I'm afraid I don't have time for a long response, but I'll start you off with a couple of resources. The link below provides an overview of the IPRC process (from the Ministry of Education).

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

I don't know which school board you are in, but I'll guess Peel. I know each school board documents their special ed programs and processes and I think this one will help with the Peel info. Each school board will have similar documentation.

The process and programs:
http://www.peelschools.org/parents/facts/spec-edplan.htm

IPRC's
http://www.peelschools.org/parents/facts/iprc.htm
I think this guide in particular will help (each school board must write a similar guide, this is just for Peel):

In our school (TDSB) we have a MART (Methods and Resource? teacher. She coordinates the IPRC and IEP (Individual Education Plan) for all students who are being IPRC'd (it's a verb too!). If there is a similar role in your school, this person shouold be able to explain and support you through the process.

Our son has a physical disability and he is also gifted, so has a dual exceptionality and we've had our share of IPRC's and IEP's. It's important to come prepared with comments and questions. Remember that you can bring people to support you at the meeting. If you get very emotional, bring another family member or friend, or find an advocate for you/your child (not sure how to do this, I'm pretty feisty at this point, so I have felt OK going on my own since the first one years ago. I do know that I am more assertive/expressive on my own rather than having my hubby there. He agrees to stay out of it so I can avoid feeling the need to "check in" that he agrees with all that I am saying.

Know yourself and bring whoever you need.

Make the teacher your ally if you possibly can. You don't have to be his/her friend, but you do need to partner together for the good of your child. Building a positive relationship with your principal is also key.

Well this has been longer than I first thought, but it is a subject near and dear to me.

Good luck!

Twinmum

 

[madonna31]

Robb, I have no idea. I just wanted to say

and that you and your family (as always) are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[dancin Disney style]

When my DD was in grade 5 we wanted her to be evaluated and we were told that she would be placed on the list but the list was constantly being re-evaluated based on need. Therefore, she may never get tested. In their opinion she was not in a desperate enough situation. The teacher suggested that we pay to have our DD privately tested.

We decided to hire a tutor for a while and wait to see if she either improved with the tutor or if she got anywhere on the list. Fortunately, she did improve with the tutor but we never did hear anything about having her tested. The following school year I inquired about the testing and I was told that she was still on the list in the same place she had been the year before.

 

[pollioni]

We had a meeting @ our sons school with the principal, teacher and method and research teacher (someone who develops learning strategies for students).

To make a long meeting short, the MART was going to start to work with him to see if they can make some progress and they mentioned that we may want to get him tested privately.

We have arranged to have him tested next week. Hopfully they can provide some suggestions to help him.

 

[mickey65]

I copied this from the ministry site to highlight that the principal does have a time factor in which to respond to your request for an IPRC. The IPRC meeting will determine if your child needs to be identified. You can still have an IEP without being identified.


How is an IPRC meeting requested?
The principal of the student’s school:
must request an IPRC meeting for the student, upon receiving a written request from the parent;
may, with written notice to the parent, refer the student to an IPRC when the principal and the student’s teacher or teachers believe that the student may benefit from a special education program.
Within 15 days of receiving a written request, or giving the parent notice, the principal must provide a copy of the board’s Parents’ Guide to Special Education to the parent, as well as an acknowledgement of the parent’s request and a written statement of approximately when the IPRC will meet.

 

[tigercat]

My dgrdd is very bright. The in class test they have done for spelling and literature has placed her at a grade 12 level. When I homeschooled her she was excelling at every subject but I feel that the longer she is in school the worse she is getting because she is not challenged at all. She gets so bored. This year she is the 'teachers assistance" this year. Every year for the last 3 years she does a lot but not school work. I just wish my dd would take her out of school and let me homeschool her again so that she will learn something. Oh and if you are worried about her being "social" don't. She is very social and mature.
tigercat