B.C.'s Ministry of Education states that "the goal of the BC school system is to support the intellectual development of all students, including those with special needs." According to the ministry, enabling all students to achieve their human, social, and career development goals is a responsibility shared by schools, families and the community.
School boards in B.C. are required by the School Act to make educational programs available to all school age children and youth who live in their district. A Ministerial Order requires the integration of students with special needs into regular classrooms with other students, in most circumstances. The ministry defines students with special needs as those who have disabilities of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioral nature, or have a learning disability or exceptional gifts or talents.
The ministry's Special Education Division establishes policies, procedures and guidelines, which together constitute the Special Education Policy Framework for B.C.
What are BCACL's key concerns?
For more information on BCACL's work on inclusive education, see our Education section.
Update on "Model Schools" - July 2007
BCACL met with Education Minister Shirley Bond in late June to get more information and express our concerns about her plans for "model schools" for students with special needs. We were glad to hear that the ministry does not at this time have any further developed plans for a model school or program for children with developmental disabilities. Click here to read the letter that BCACL wrote to Minister Bond after their meeting.
Click here to go to our Inclusive Education Resource page, which contains updates, reports on meetings, press articles and research papers on this issue.
"Model Schools” issue - March 2007
The Ministry of Education announced in early March 2007 that it is planning to open "model schools” for students with special needs. This is a profoundly concerning direction that is a very real threat to good quality, inclusive education for students in BC. BCACL has been responding to the concerns we have been hearing from parents, family members, teachers and friends of people with developmental disabilities. Click here to go to our Inclusive Education Resource page, which contains updates, reports on meetings, press articles and research papers on this issue.