SPECIAL EDUCATION

IN BC AND SD41
A Guide for New Teachers
Created by Isabella Abbinante

CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

"Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the
right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without
discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on
race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or
1
physical disability"
Section 15 (1)

SALAMANCA STATEMENT

"Every child has unique characteristics, interests,

abilities and learning needs. Education systems
should be designed and educational programmes
implemented to take into account the wide diversity
2
of these characteristics and needs"

BC MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

"All students should have equitable access to learning,

opportunities for achievement, and the pursuit of excellence
in all aspects of their educational programs"

"British Columbia promotes an inclusive education system in

which students with special needs are fully participating
3
members of a community of learners"
Special Education Policy

ACCOMMODATIONS VS. MODIFICATIONS

Accommodations (Adaptations) Modifications

Changes to how a student is taught Changes to what a student is taught

Alternative formats, instructional
4
strategies, and changes to assessment
examples: electronic texts, access to a computer for
written assignments, graphic organizers, extra time,
speech-to-text software
Changes made to the grade-level
expectations or outcomes for a
subject or course to meet a student's
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individual learning needs

WHO ARE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS?

4
"In Canada, exceptional students include both pupils who are gifted and those who have disabilities"
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Special Needs Designations and Categories in BC
 LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES IN SD41

Burnaby's LSS team works collaboratively with schools and parents to create supportive,
inclusive and caring communities. This support includes both direct and indirect support to
staff, students, professional development and resources.

School Based Team (SBT)

WHAT WE BELIEVE IN
valuing the uniqueness of each child: their Comprised of:
principal
strengths & contributions
learning support teacher
creating partnerships with the home and
counsellor
community to support the education of each
a classroom teacher
child Meets to support classroom
supporting diversity as a natural & inherent teachers in meeting the needs of
condition of the school environment students with special needs
striving to create an effective, inclusive The team collaborates to problem
learning environment for each child solve and develop an action plan
providing access to appropriate educational May provide consultation on
opportunities that meet the individual needs of instructional/classroom strategies,
planning and coordination of
each child
services for a student, or access to
having high expectations and monitoring
6 additional resources
results for each child

IEPs
WHAT IS AN IEP?

Describes the program modifications

The document evolves as the student
and/or adaptations for the student and
gains knowledge and skills, acquires
the services that are to be provided
independence, and masters their goals
Developed each year for students
identified as having a designation

WHO DEVELOPS THE IEP?

Each student with a designation is

Most IEP meetings are held in late
assigned a case manager who coordinates
September or October
the development, documentation and
The Ministry of Education requires the
implementation of the student's IEP
IEP to be reviewed once each year 6
Parents must be given the opportunity to
participate in the process, and whenever
possible, the student as well

References
1. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom: Constitution Act 1982.https://laws-
lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/page-15.html
2. UNESCO (1994). The Salamanca Statement Framework for Action on Special Needs Education.
Paris:UNESCO https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000098427
3. BC Ministry of Education (2016). Special Education Services: Amanual of Policies, Procedures and
Guidelines.
4. Hutchinson, N. (2016). Inclusion of exceptional learners in Canadian schools. Toronto: Pearson
Canada.
5. BCTF. (2017, August). Inclusive Education: Special Needs Designations and Categories in BC.
Retrieved February 6, 2021, from https://bctf.ca/publications/BriefSection.aspx?id=46986
6. Burnaby Schools. (n.d.). Learning Support Services. Retrieved February 6, 2021, from
https://burnabyschools.ca/learning-support-services/