Permission to use picture thanks to Inclusive Services, City of St. Johns: www.stjohns.ca
Legal Requirements and Guidelines for the Inclusion of Exceptional Students
Picture thanks to: Public Law | Kenyatta University School of Law www.ku.ac.ke
The Ontario education system is based on a vision of an equitable and
inclusive system where all students, parents, and other members of the
school community are welcomed and respected;
where every student is supported and inspired to succeed in a culture of
high expectations for learning; and where all staff and students value diversity
and demonstrate respect for others and a commitment to establishing
a just, caring society.
(Schools: Kindegarden to Grade 12: Policy and Program
Requirements, 2011 (1.4: Equity and Inclusive Education, p.16-18)
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/policy/os/onschools.pdf)
inclusive system where all students, parents, and other members of the
school community are welcomed and respected;
where every student is supported and inspired to succeed in a culture of
high expectations for learning; and where all staff and students value diversity
and demonstrate respect for others and a commitment to establishing
a just, caring society.
(Schools: Kindegarden to Grade 12: Policy and Program
Requirements, 2011 (1.4: Equity and Inclusive Education, p.16-18)
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/policy/os/onschools.pdf)
According to The Government of Ontario Kindegardent to Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements, 2011:
All school boards are required to implement and monitor an equity and inclusive education policy in accordance with the requirements set out in PPM No. 119,
in the policy document Realizing the Promise of Diversity: Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy, and in the document Equity and Inclusive Education in Ontario Schools: Guidelines for Policy Development and Implementation. Ontario’s equity and inclusive education strategy is designed to recognize diversity and promote inclusive education in all Ontario schools. It calls for upholding human rights by identifying and eliminating discriminatory biases and systemic barriers to students’ learning and development, to enable all students to succeed to their highest potential and contribute to society.
School boards are required to embed the principles of equity and inclusive education in all aspects of their operations, including policy development, programming, and practices related to research, curriculum resources, instruction, and assessment. Schools are expected to provide students and staff with authentic and relevant opportunities to learn about diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives and to enable students and other school community members to see themselves represented in the curriculum, resources, programs, and culture of the school. Students need to feel engaged in and empowered by what they are learning, supported by teachers and staff, and welcomed in their learning environment (p.16).
References and Useful Web sites:
Equity and Inclusive Education in Ontario Schools: Guidelines for Policy Development and Implementation (2009) www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/inclusiveguide.pdf
Main page on the ministry website: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/equity.html
Ontario Ministry of Education. (2008) Reach Every student: Energizing Ontario Education. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/energize/energize.pdf
Ontario Ministry of Education: Special Education Main Page. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/speced.html
PPM No. 119, “Developing and Implementing Equity and Inclusive Education Policies in Ontario Schools” (June 24, 2009). www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/119.pdf
Realizing the Promise of Diversity: Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy (2009). www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/equity.pdf
Main page on the ministry website: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/equity.html
Ontario Ministry of Education. (2008) Reach Every student: Energizing Ontario Education. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/energize/energize.pdf
Ontario Ministry of Education: Special Education Main Page. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/speced.html
PPM No. 119, “Developing and Implementing Equity and Inclusive Education Policies in Ontario Schools” (June 24, 2009). www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/119.pdf
Realizing the Promise of Diversity: Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy (2009). www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/equity.pdf