Identification and Placement of Exceptional Pupils
It is important for parents to know their child must first be identified for special education services through the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) process, which is a requirement of the Ministry of Education. The IPRC meets and decides if a student should be identified as an exceptional pupil and, if so, the placement that will best meet the student's needs. An IPRC committee is composed of at least three persons, one of who must be a principal or supervisory officer of the Board.
All the details pertaining to the IPRC are contained in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Special Education Plan.
The Role of the IPRC
The IPRC will:
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Invite the parents and the student (if 16 years of age or older) to attend the meeting |
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Review relevant information about the student |
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Describe the student's strengths and needs |
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Decide whether or not the student should be identified as an exceptional pupil |
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Identify the area(s) of the student's exceptionality(ies), according to the categories
and definitions of exceptionality provided by the Ministry of Education |
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Decide an appropriate placement for the student |
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Provide reasons for placement if deciding for placement in a special class |
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Discuss proposals for placement, special education programs and services |
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Review the identification and placement at least once in each school year, unless the
parent gives written notice dispensing with the review |
Any student enrolled at a school has the right to an IPRC, irrespective of the grade the
child is in (including Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten). Once the child is enrolled, the parents have the right to request a meeting with the IPRC.
The Identification, Placement, and Review Process: A Guide for Parents 
This guide outlines the steps taken by an Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) during the process of identifying a student as exceptional and, deciding the student's placement. It also outlines the procedures for appealing decisions, sets out the regulatory requirements for the IPRC, and provides advice that is intended to help staff and parents during the IPRC process.
Needs Statements
Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) documentation includes recommendation for each exceptional student. These Needs Statements reflect general objectives of the Individual Education Plan and determine the expectations and strategies which provide the link between the recommendations of the IPRC and the program. The suggested Needs Statements correspond to the Special Education/Learning Support Services database, the Special Education Tracking System (SPTS). Parents are invited to participate in the selection of needs statements and are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the IPRC process.
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