IV. Ontario’s Framework for Education Services specific to
Students with Disabilities
A. IPRC Overview (review of regulatory framework)- Overview of Process
There are numerous regulations pursuant to the Education Act that directly
impact students with disabilities. Notably, Ontario Regulation 181/98,
Identification and Placement of Exceptional Pupils,^75 (IPRC Regulation) sets out
the framework for the identification and placement of students who require
additional supports in order to meaningfully access education services. This
process, called the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC), is
mandated to identify and review the needs of a student and decide on the most
appropriate placement for that child.
The Supreme Court of Canada considered the IPRC process in Eaton v Brant
County Board of Education and confirmed that the test to be met in its decision-
making is that of the “best interests of the child”.^76
This process can be initiated by either the Principal or the parent or guardian
(“parent”) of the child.^77 The IPRC Regulation sets out the process for the
requesting of meetings, timelines and school board obligations. Parents have the
right to participate in this process and parental consent is required for the
implementation of the identification and placement decision. However, if the
parent does not consent and if the time limit to appeal has expired, the school
design for learning and differentiated instruction as key instructional approaches to respond
effectively to all students. See online: Ministry of Education
< 75 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/LearningforAll2011.pdf>.
76 IPRC Reg., supra note 9.
77 Eaton, supra note 67.^
IPRC Reg., supra note 9, s. 14(1).