In the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN), Special Education is a collaborative process that encompasses the
supports, services and strategies that inspire and engage students. Services and strategies are responsive to the strengths and needs of each student and ensure a caring learning environment where every student can achieve.
The general philosophy and service delivery model for the DSBN is based on the following premises:
- That parents/guardians are an important part of student success and are therefore invited and encouraged to be
involved with their child's/ward’s education through ongoing communication between the family and school
personnel.
- That an In-School Team is expected to facilitate the collaborative problem solving, decision making and planning
for students who are experiencing difficulty in their learning environment.
- That an Individual Education Plan (IEP) be established for every identified exceptional student and where
required, as determined by the In-School Team, for any other student. Under Ontario Regulation 181/98, “Identification and Placement of Exceptional Pupils”, principals are required to ensure that an IEP is developed for every student who has been identified as exceptional by an Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC), within 30 school days of the student's placement in a special education program.
- That all students identified by an exceptionality, as defined by the Ministry of Education, are served in the most
enabling environment available.
- That a range of placements including indirect support, resource assistance and withdrawal assistance be
available across the DSBN. Special Class placement may also be available to meet the needs of some students,
provided such placement is approved by Special Education Support Services.
- That opportunities for integration be planned, consistent with the learning needs of the student, age appropriate,
and part of the IEP for each student, as determined by the In-School Team.