Purpose of the Standard

To provide the ministry and the public with details of the board's strategies to ensure a smooth transition for students with special needs who are entering or leaving a school

Requirements of the Standard

The special education plan must provide specific details about advance special education planning that is done for students with special needs who are arriving from other programs, such as the following:

  • preschool nursery programs
  • preschool programs for students who are Deaf
  • preschool speech and language programs
  • intensive early intervention programs for children with autism
  • Education and Community Partnership Programs (ECPP)
  • programs offered by other boards of education

The special education plan must indicate whether it is the board's policy or practice to accept assessments accompanying the students from these programs or whether it is the board's policy or practice to reassess all incoming students. If reassessment is the policy or practice, the plan must state the estimated waiting time for completing an assessment.

The special education plan must also provide details about the way in which information is shared for students leaving the board to attend programs offered by other school boards or by care and/or treatment, custody, and correctional facilities.

In the special education plan, the board must identify the position of the person responsible for ensuring the successful admission or transfer of students from one program to another.

Compliance with the Standard

The ministry will review the school board's special education plan to ensure that it includes the information listed above and that the content is consistent with the legislation and with ministry policy.