School Boards/committees

Special Education

School Boards/Committees

Every School Board must have a Special Education Advisory Committee, to advise the Board on issues pertaining to Special Education. The purpose of the committee for both the public and Catholic school boards is to provide details of the operation of the boards to the ministry and to give members of the public information to which they are entitled.

The boards’ special education plan must provide information concerning its SEAC. The plan must provide a description of ways in which the boards’ SEACs fulfilled its roles and responsibilities during the school year. The roles and responsibilities of the SEACs are as follows:

making recommendations to the boards with respect to any matter affecting establishment, development and delivery of special education programs and services for exceptional students within the boards;

participating in the boards’ annual review of its special education plan;

participating in the development of the boards’ annual budget for special education; and

reviewing the financial statements of the boards as they relate to special education.

The plan must include a description of ways in which parents and other members of the public can make their views known to the SEACs. The Learning Disabilities Association has representation on the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. If parents have concerns about the establishment, development and delivery of special education they can contact the LDATD office. Our SEAC representatives, however, do not fight for individual cases. The staff of LDA are there to help parents advocate for their children’s needs.

SEAC meetings are open to the public and spectators may attend without prior arrangments; however, those who wish to make a presentation must notify the committee in advance to make the appropriate arrangements.

Related Links

Standard for School Boards' Special Education Plans