Standards for Special Education

In Alberta, educating students with special education needs in inclusive settings is the first placement option to be considered by school boards in consultation with parents and, when appropriate, students.

Inclusion, by definition, refers not merely to setting but to specially designed instruction and support for students with special education needs in regular classrooms and neighbourhood schools.

This document outlines the requirements for school boards regarding the delivery of education programming and services to students with special education needs in grades 1–12. These requirements are organized into the following four areas:

• Access — students with special education needs are entitled to have access in a school year to an education program in accordance with the School Act . Students with special education needs receive adapted or modified programming that enables and improves learning.
• Appropriateness — educational programming and services are designed around the assessed needs of the student and are provided by qualified staff who are knowledgeable and skilled.
• Accountability — the obligation to answer for the execution of one’s assigned responsibilities.
• Appeals — timely, fair and open processes protect the rights of students and parents and address differences of opinion about the education of students with special education needs.

Taken from the Standards for Special Education, Amended June 2004

For more information, read the complete Standards for Special Education document on Alberta Educations' website.