Registered Disabilty Savings Plan
Inclusive Education
Parent Update on Inclusive Education Jan 2010
Educational Assistants in Manitoba Schools
Inclusive Education Final Report July 2009
Parent Update to Inclusive Education May 2009
Inclusive Education Press Release Feb 2009
Inclusive Education Newsletter Feb 2009
Parent Update to Inclusive Education Sept 2008
Parent Guide to Inclusive Education - 5.9MB
Future for Preschoolers with Special Needs
If you have a question or concern about early childhood inclusion in Manitoba please contact Debra Mayer, Early childhood consultant, Community Living Manitoba c/o 204.786 -1607 or aclmb@mts.net
Inclusive Education
Transition from School to Work
Parent Update Newsletter Sept 2007
Bill 13 Minister Letter Proclaimed
Bill 13 Press Release Nov 2/2005
Bill 13 Press Release in PDF Format
Appropriate Educational Programming Regulation Regulation 155
Education Administration Miscellaneous Provisions Regulation, amendment Regulation 156
Bill 13 Press Release Nov /2005
November 02, 2005
LEGISLATION IN FORCE TODAY ON APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson announced today that regulations for Bill 13, the Public Schools Amendment Act, Appropriate Educational Programming are now in effect to support appropriate education for all students.
"Proclaiming Bill 13 and the accompanying regulations is a positive step that entrenches the province’s commitment to provide all students with the opportunity to participate fully in the academic and social life of their schools," said Bjornson. "Bill 13 builds on Manitoba’s philosophy of inclusion. The new regulations formalize the existing practices of school divisions and schools across the province when it comes to inclusion of students with a variety of support needs. It also reaffirms what is already good practice and builds on the progress made toward inclusion in recent years."
The legislation allows for setting province wide programming standards. There is also a dispute-resolution mechanism which gives parents an avenue for discussion beyond the school division in the event that an agreement cannot be reached regarding what constitutes appropriate educational programming for students who have individual education plans in place.
"These regulations are responsive to the needs of parents and school divisions because they incorporate local autonomy, flexibility and choice in meeting the diverse needs of children," said Bjornson. "They also give parents and school divisions greater opportunity to have meaningful involvement in the education planning process.
"Teachers and school divisions have been doing everything possible to ensure students learn to the best of their abilities. I would like take this opportunity to commend them for their outstanding work."
The Public Schools Amendment Act, Appropriate Educational Programming
was introduced in the Manitoba legislature as Bill 13 in November 2003
and passed third reading on May 12, 2004. On June 10, 2004, the bill received
royal assent.
"Since receiving royal assent we have conducted extensive public
consultation; significant input has been provided by teachers, parents,
students, school trustees and others involved in the education system,"
Bjornson said. "This input has been extremely valuable in shaping
the legislation and supporting regulations, protocols and policies that
support the legislation."
The provincial government will hold regional information sessions this
month. Dates and locations will be announced in the near future.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
The Public Schools Amendment Act (Appropriate Educational Programming), S.M., 2004, c9 was proclaimed today.
The regulations incorporate input from stakeholder consultations across
the province including the education community and families. They provide
the framework for addressing the recommendations made by the Manitoba
Special Education Review (Final Report, 1999) and are based on Manitoba
Education, Citizenship and Youth’s philosophy of inclusion.
The Philosophy of Inclusive Education
Bill 13 builds on Manitoba’s philosophy of inclusion, which states:
"Inclusion is a way of thinking and acting that allows every individual
to feel accepted, valued and safe. An inclusive community consciously
evolves to meet the changing needs of its members. Through recognition
and support, an inclusive community provides meaningful involvement and
equal access to the benefits of citizenship.
In Manitoba, inclusion means enhancing the well-being of every member
of the community. By working together, we strengthen our capacity to provide
the foundation for a richer future is strengthened for all of us."
Appropriate Educational Programming
Closely tied to inclusion is the process of appropriate educational
programming.
Appropriate educational programming is a collaborative school-family-community
process. School communities create learning environments and provide resources
and services responsive to the life-long learning, social and emotional
needs of all students.
Overview of Regulations
Teachers around the province have worked hard to adapt the way they teach the curriculum to recognize the different interests and strengths of students. Most schools have policies and practices in place that include working effectively with families, to accommodate the needs of all students. The regulations promote what is already good practice in the province and affirms and celebrates the efforts most schools have made to provide appropriate educational programming for all students.
The regulations reinforce the belief that children have a right to be
included in their neighborhood schools with their peers and to feel accepted,
valued and safe. They also:
• ensure individual educational plans are developed for children
who experience serious difficulty in meeting the learning outcomes of
the provincial curriculum,
• promote greater involvement of parents in the planning and programming
decisions affecting their children, and
• encourage greater involvement of students in the academic, social
and community life of their school.
Dispute Resolution
Most disputes between parents and schools can be resolved at the school and division level using informal dispute resolution techniques including problem-solving, negotiation or conciliation.
The new regulations provide for a formal appeal process in the form of a review committee. This process ultimately provides for an appeal to the provincial government, once the local school board has made a ruling taking into consideration the programming or placement of a student with an individual education plan. In these disputes, a three person review committee will hear both sides of a dispute and submit a final report and recommendations in the best interests of the student. A school board or a complainant may appeal the review committee’s decision to the deputy minister.
Building for the Future
Bill 13 legislation affirms the right of all students in Manitoba to receive appropriate educational programming that fosters their participation in learning and the social life of schools. Along with its supporting regulations, it builds on the positive developments that have occurred in previous years in moving towards a more inclusive society. This challenge involves continued conversations across all communities on attitudes, behaviors and practices that serve the best interests of Manitobans.
Links
Canadian Association for Community Living Children and Youth Resources
SpeciaLink-the National Centre for Child Care Inclusion
Manitoba Children’s Special Services
Red River College Studies in Special Needs Child Care
University of Winnipeg Bachelor of Arts in Developmental Studies (Stream C-Inclusion)