What do parents need to know?
A look at Identification Placement Review Committee (IPRC)
The Basics
An IPRC is a meeting set up by the school to decide whether or not your child should be identified as exceptional, details about the exceptionality, and appropriate placement. A review of the identification and placement is held at least once in each school year.
A parent's attendance is not mandatory for an IPRC to take place. However, it is highly encouraged that parent(s) participate fully as decisions in an IPRC will likely greatly impact your child's school life.
Your child
An exceptional pupil, as defined by The Education Act, is "a pupil whose behavioural, communicational, intellectual, physical or multiple exceptionalities are such that he or she is considered to need placement in a special education program..."
Parent(s)
Decisions about your child can be accepted or rejected. However, the purpose of the committee is to explore the needs of your child. Parents offer an important insight. The dialogue between the parents and committee members is essential.
Committee Members
An IPRC is composed of at least three persons. Some members of the committee members can include: the principal or vice principal, teaching staff, school psychologist, lawyer, advocate, interpreter, special education staff, board staff, and agency members.
What happens at an IRPC?
- At least 10 days in advance you will receive written notice of the meeting date and a package of information pertaining to details that should be read over.
- If you are unable to attend, you may request an alternate date or appoint a representative to attend in your place. If you choose not to attend, all of the information will be forwarded to you for review and signature.
- At an IPRC meeting, a chair introduces all of the members, they will review all available information about your child (educational assessment, health or pychological assessments, interview your child, and other documents that you submit about your child), discuss any proposal that is made about a special education program or service, and then make a decision.
- Parents are encouraged to be a part of the conversation; ask questions, raise concerns, add additional information.
What will the written statement of decision include?
The committee will consider the child's needs and your preferences when making a decision about your child's exceptionality and placement. After this is done, a written statement of decision will be made that includes:
- whether the IPRC has identified your child as exceptional
- where the IPRC has identified your child as exceptional: the categories and definitions of any exceptionalities identified; the IPRC's describption of your child's strengths and needs; the IPRC's placement decisions; and the IPRC's recommendations regarding a special education program and special education services.
What next?
If you agree with the IPRC decision, your signature will be required. Copies of all documentation will be copied and sent home with you. If your child is identified as exceptional, the board will contact the principal at which the special education program is to be provided and an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will start to be developed.
A review IPRC meeting is held every year. The committee will review your child's progress in relation to their IEP. A decision will be made to continue your child's program or whether different decisions should be made. Parents are permitted to have this review IRPC waived.
What happens if you do not agree with a decision?
If you disagree with an IPRC decision you may:
- within 15 days of receipt of the decision, request that the IRPC hold a second meeting to discuss your concerns or
- within 30 days of receipt of the decision, file a notice of appeal
If you do not consent to the IRPC decision and you do not appeal it, the board will instruct the principal to implement the IPRC decision.