SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

Apri l 2016

B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A M I N I S T R Y O F E D U C A T I O N

Special Education Services: A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

BC Ministry of Education Box 9887 Stn Prov Govt

4th Floor, 620 Superior Street Victoria British Columbia Canada

V8W 9T6

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES: A MANUAL OF POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES _____________________________________________________________________________

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii

Using this Manual ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv Glossary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- v

A. Policy --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Special Education Policy ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

B. Roles and Responsibilities --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 B.1 Ministry of Education: Special Education --------------------------------------------------------------- 6 B.2 School Districts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 B.3 Schools ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 B.4 Parents --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 B.5 Students ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

C. Developing an Individual Education Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 C.1 An Overview of the Process ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 C.2 Identification & Assessment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 C.3 Planning ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 C.4 Program Support & Implementation -------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 C.5 Evaluation of Student Learning -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 C.6 Reporting Student Progress ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 C.7 Students with Different Cultural or Linguistic Backgrounds -------------------------------------- 21

D. Special Considerations: Services ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 D.1 Learning Assistance Services --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 D.2 Counselling in Schools ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26 D.3 School Psychology Services ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 D.4 Speech-Language Pathology ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 D.5 Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------ 33 D.6 Hospital Education Services ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35 D.7 Homebound Education Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 37 D.8 Distributed Learning ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38 D.9 Funding Special Education Services - Update ------------------------------------------------------ 39

E. Special Needs Categories --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 E.1 Considerations for Reporting ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 E.2 Intellectual Disabilities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41 E.3 Learning Disabilities ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47 E.4 Gifted ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53 E.5 Behavioural Needs or Mental Illness ------------------------------------------------------------------- 56 E.6 Physically Dependent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63 E.7 DeafBlind ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 67 E.8 Physical Disabilities or Chronic Health Impairments ----------------------------------------------- 70

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES: A MANUAL OF POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES _____________________________________________________________________________

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E.9 Visual Impairments ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 74 E.10 Deaf or Hard of Hearing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 79 E.11 Autism Spectrum Disorder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 85

F. Provincial Resource Program ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 91 F.1 Provincial Resource Programs- PRPs ----------------------------------------------------------------- 91 F.2 Eligibility for PRP Status ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 91 F.3 Procedures for Designation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 92 F.4 List of Programs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 93

G. Quick Reference - Internet Resources ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 97 H. Appendices ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

H.1 Accessible School Facilities Planning ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 H.2 Access to Equipment, Technology & Services -------------------------------------------------------- 2 H.3 Adjudication: Provincial Examinations ----------------------------------------------------------------- 11 H.4 Appeals: Resolution of Conflicts ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 H.5 Classification of Educational and Psychological Tests (Levels A-C) --------------------------- 13 H.6 Distributed Learning for Students with Special Needs --------------------------------------------- 16 H.7 Full Day Kindergarten -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 H.8 Inter-Ministry Protocols - Provision of support Services -------------------------------------------18 H.9 Removal Health Safety ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- 20 H.10 Steps for Protection against Germs and Disease--------------------------------------------------21 H.11 Integrated Services & Case Management --------------------------------------------------------- 23 H.12 Children & Youth with Special Needs (CYSN) Framework for Action ------------------------ 23 H.13 Relevant Governing Legislation: School Act - Ministerial Orders ----------------------------- 25 H.14 Student Records: Use and Management ------------------------------------------------------------ 26 H.15 Summary: Distributed Learning Policy --------------------------------------------------------------- 27 H.16 Summary: Funding Special Needs Policy ----------------------------------------------------------- 31 H.17 Transition Planning --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 H.18 Transportation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36 H.19 Work Experience ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 37

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES: A MANUAL OF POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES _____________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

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Introduction This resource conveys policies, procedures, and guidelines that support the delivery of special education services in British Columbia's public schools. It was originally published in 1995, following an extensive provincial Special Education Review (1993-94).

The purpose of this manual is to provide a single point of reference regarding legislation, ministry policy and guidelines to assist school boards in developing programs and services that enable students with special needs to meet the goals of education. The manual also contains procedural information to assist in accessing programs and services provided at the provincial level. It is intended primarily for the use of principals, school-based teams and special educational professionals, but may also prove of interest to other professionals within the education, social service or health care communities, to parents and to members of the public at large.

In preparing this manual