Parent / Caregiver Guide to Special Education - Special Education and the Identification Placement Review Committee (IPRC)

A review meeting will be held within one year unless the parent/caregiver notifies the principal in writing that they wish to dispense with the annual review. The parent/caregiver may request a review meeting at any time after a placement has been in effect for three months but the request may not be made more often than once in every three-month period. This review will consider the same types of information that were originally considered. With your written permission (request for review), the IPRC conducting the review will consider the progress your child has made in relation to the IEP. The IPRC will review the placement and identification decisions and decide whether they should continue or whether a different decision should now be made.

If you disagree with the IPRC’s identification of your child as exceptional or with the placement decision of the IPRC, you may, within 30 days of receipt of the original decision or within 15 days of receipt of the decision from the second meeting described above, give written notification of your intention to appeal the decision to Grand Erie. The notice of appeal must indicate the decision with which you disagree and include a statement that sets out your reasons for disagreeing.

• The school principal
• Grand Erie District School Board
  Superintendent of Education – Specialized Services (519) 756-6301 
  

Who is an exceptional pupil?

The Education Act defines an exceptional pupil as “a pupil whose behavioural, communicational, intellectual, physical or multiple exceptionalities are such that he or she is considered to need placement in a special education program”.

Who decides that a pupil is exceptional?

The identification is made by a Board-appointed Identification, Placement and Review Committee. For ease of reference this Committee is known as an IPRC. They will:

• identify if your child is an “exceptional pupil” based on the above categories
• determine the placement or setting in which your child’s special education program will be delivered
• review that placement at least once a year.​​​​​​

What is a special education program?

A special education program is a program that:

• is based on and modified by the results of continuous assessment and evaluation
• includes an Individual Education Plan (IEP) containing specific objectives and an outline of educational services that meet the needs of the exceptional pupil

What placements are offered?

What placements are offered? Special education programs are designed for the individual and many will be carried out in the regular classroom setting with special services brought to the child. Where it is impossible to deliver developed programs within the regular classroom, the student may be withdrawn for part of the day. A small percentage of exceptional pupils may require specialized class settings on a full- or part-time basis.

How is an IPRC requested?

The principal of your child’s school:

• must request an IPRC meeting for your child upon receiving your written request
• may, with written notice to you, refer your child to an IPRC when the principal and the child’s teacher(s) believe that your child may benefit from a special education program.

Within 15 days of receiving your request, or giving you notice, the principal must provide you with a copy of this guide and a written statement of approximately when the IPRC will meet. 

May parents/caregivers attend the IPRC meeting?

Regulation 181/98 entitles parents/caregivers and pupils, 16 years of age or older, to be present at and participate in all Committee discussions about your child, and to be present when the Committee’s identification and placement decisions are made.

Who else may attend an IPRC meeting?

• the principal of your child’s school
• other resource people such as your child’s teacher, special education staff, board support staff or the representative of an agency who may provide further information or clarification
• your representative, that is, a person who may support you or speak on behalf of you or your child
• an interpreter, if one is required

What information will parents/caregivers receive about the IPRC meeting?

At least 10 days prior to the meeting, the Chair of the IPRC will provide you with written notification of the date, time and place of the meeting and an invitation to attend. You are an important partner in considering your child’s placement. This letter will also ask you to indicate whether or not you will attend.

Before the IPRC meeting occurs, you will receive a written copy of any information about your child that the Chair of the IPRC has received. This may include the results of assessments or a summary of information.

What happens at an IPRC meeting?

The Chair introduces everyone and explains the purpose of the meeting. The Committee will review all available information about your child and may discuss any proposal that has been made about a special education program or special education services for the child. You are encouraged to ask questions and join in the discussion. Following the discussion, after all the information has been presented and considered, the Committee will make its decisions.

What will the IPRC’s written statement of decision include?

• whether the IPRC has identified your child as “exceptional”
• the categories and definitions of any exceptionalities identified
• a description of your child’s strengths and needs
• the IPRC placement decision
• the IPRC’s recommendations, if any, regarding a special education program and special education services
• the reasons for the decision that the pupil should be placed in a special education class, if applicable.

What happens after the IPRC has made its decision?

If you agree with the IPRC decision, you will be asked to indicate, by signing your name, that you agree with the identification and placement decisions.