Rainy River District

An IEP is a written plan describing the special education program and/or services required by a particular student. It identifies learning expectations that are modified from or alternative
to the expectations given in the curriculum policy document for the appropriate grade and subject or course, and/or any accommodations and special education services needed to assist the student in achieving his or her learning expectations. The IEP is not a daily lesson plan itemizing every detail of the student’s education. The IEP also helps teachers monitor the student’s progress and provides a framework for communicating information about the student’s progress to parents and to the student. The IEP is updated each term to record any changes in the student’s special education program and services that are found to be necessary as a result of continuous assessment and evaluation of the student’s achievement of annual goals and learning expectations.

An IEP documents any deviations from the Ontario Curriculum and/or changers in delivery of instruction for every student who interacts with Special Education Services. Typically only those students requiring service beyond those covered through Special Education Per Pupil Allotment (SEPPA) funding have IPRC documentation completed annually. 

Regulation 181/98 requires that all school boards set up IPRCs. An IPRC is composed of at least three persons, one of whom must be a principal or supervisory officer of the board. 

The IPRC will: 

•  decide whether or not your child should be identified as exceptional;

•  identify the areas of your child’s exceptionality, according to the categories and definitions of exceptionalities provided by the Ministry of Education;

•  decide an appropriate placement for your child; and review the identification and placement at least once in each school year.

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....” Students are identified according to the categories and definitions of exceptionalities provided by the Ministry of Education.

A special education program is defined in the Education Act as an educational program that:

•  is based on and modified by the results of continuous assessment and evaluation; and

• includes a plan (called an Individual Education Plan or IEP) containing specific objectives and an outline of special education services that meet the needs of the exceptional pupil. 

Special education services are defined in the Education Act as the facilities and resources, including support personnel and equipment, necessary for developing and implementing a special education program.