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Education Series · Process guide
The IEP is the "what." The IPRC is the "where." This is the formal, regulated process that decides whether your child is exceptional and where they will learn — with a statutory clock at every stage.
In brief
Trigger
Under Ontario Regulation 181/98, a principal must refer a student to an IPRC if a parent requests it in writing. A verbal request does not start the statutory response clock. Send an email or letter and keep a dated copy.
Within 15 days, the principal must send written notice of the referral, the board parent guide, and the approximate time when the IPRC is expected to meet. The law does not require the meeting itself to occur within those 15 days.
Written request template
Dear [Principal Name],
I am writing to formally request an IPRC meeting for my child, [Child's Name], pursuant to Ontario Regulation 181/98.
Please confirm the referral in writing and, within 15 days, provide the approximate time when the IPRC is expected to meet and a copy of the board's parent guide to special education.
Please also give me formal notice at least 10 days before the meeting. I plan to attend and ask to receive the information the chair will consider as early as possible.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Timeline and participants
Parent → Principal
You send the written request above. Keep the dated request because it starts the principal's 15-day response deadline.
Principal → Parent
The principal sends written notice that the student was referred, the approximate time when the IPRC is expected to meet, and the board parent guide. This is not a 15-day deadline for holding the meeting.
IPRC committee + Parent
You receive formal notice at least 10 days before the meeting. The committee reviews the relevant educational, health, and psychological information and sends a written Statement of Decision. It identifies:
You will be asked to sign. You can agree, indicate you disagree and wish to appeal, or take the document home to review before signing.
Parent → SEAB → Tribunal
Request a follow-up IPRC meeting within 15 days, or file an appeal within 30 days of receiving the original decision. If a follow-up meeting occurs, file any appeal within 15 days of receiving the follow-up decision.
Official sources: Ontario Regulation 181/98 and the Ontario IPRC appeal guide. This page is educational information, not legal advice.
Decision output
The IPRC decides where your child learns. It cannot decide specific teaching strategies — that is the IEP.
Regular class, indirect support
Student works toward their own goals; a special education teacher consults with the regular teacher.
Regular class, resource assistance
Student goes to a resource room for short periods (for example, 20 minutes a day) for specific help.
Regular class, withdrawal assistance
Student receives instruction outside the classroom for less than 50% of the school day.
Special education class (partial)
Student is in a specialized class for at least 50% of the day and integrated for the remainder.
Special education class (full time)
Student is in a specialized class for the entire school day.
Before the meeting
Preparation is the single biggest factor in a successful IPRC outcome. Bring documentation, not just a description of the problem.
Governing categories
Autism falls under "Communication."
Autism, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Language Impairment, Speech Impairment, Learning Disability
Social or emotional needs that significantly affect educational performance
Giftedness, Mild Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disability
Physical Disability, Blind/Low Vision
Two or more exceptionalities (for example, autism plus an intellectual disability)
Some schools say "We can give your child an IEP without an IPRC." That is technically true — but there are concrete reasons to insist on identification:
Written outcome
The committee must review your child's identification and placement at least once every school year unless you waive the annual review in writing. After a placement has been in effect for three months, you may request a review; a parent cannot require another review more often than once every three months.
Escalation ladder
File an appeal within 30 days of receiving the original Statement of Decision, or within 15 days of receiving the follow-up decision if you first requested another IPRC meeting.
Continue the education journey
IPRC stands for Identification, Placement and Review Committee. It is the formal process for deciding whether a student should be identified as exceptional and what placement is appropriate. After a written parent request, the principal must refer the student. Within 15 days, the principal must send written notice of the referral, the approximate time when the IPRC is expected to meet, and the board parent guide. That is a response deadline, not a requirement to hold the meeting within 15 school days.
Send a dated written request to the principal stating that you want your child referred to an IPRC under Ontario Regulation 181/98. Within 15 days, the principal must acknowledge the referral in writing, provide the approximate time when the IPRC is expected to meet, and provide the board parent guide. Formal notice of the meeting must be sent at least 10 days before the meeting. Keep copies of the request and every response.
Ontario IPRC committees can decide on 5 placement options: (1) Regular Class with Indirect Support - student creates own success with consultation, (2) Regular Class with Resource Assistance - student goes to resource room for short periods, (3) Regular Class with Withdrawal Assistance - student receives instruction outside classroom for less than 50% of the day, (4) Special Education Class (Partial) - specialized class for at least 50% of the day, (5) Special Education Class (Full Time) - specialized class for the entire school day.
You may request a follow-up IPRC meeting within 15 days of receiving the original Statement of Decision. You may instead file a written notice of appeal with the secretary of the school board within 30 days of receiving the original decision. If a follow-up meeting is held, the appeal deadline is within 15 days of receiving the follow-up decision. An IPRC appeal addresses identification and/or placement.
A school may explain that an IEP can be developed without a formal IPRC identification. However, when a parent asks the principal in writing for an IPRC referral, Ontario Regulation 181/98 requires the principal to refer the student. The IPRC makes formal identification and placement decisions; it does not guarantee a particular service or staffing level.
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What can my child get at school while we wait?
VerifiedWhile waiting, families can seek school‑based supports under the Education Act, ask boards for Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and request formal identification through an IPRC meeting. [OHRC] Even without OAP funding, these steps can secure accommodations, EA support, and modified expectations, reducing harm during multi‑year waits.
Source: Ontario Human Rights Commission [OHRC] · Open source record
What is IPRC and why does it matter?
VerifiedThe Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) is a formal school board process that officially identifies students as "exceptional" under Ontario education law. [Education Act] Requesting an IPRC can provide additional resources and protections, though many parents are unaware this formal identification process exists or that they can request it.
Source: Ontario Education Act · Open source record
How does special education work in Ontario schools?
VerifiedOntario's Education Act guarantees special education programs and services to students with exceptional needs. [Education Act] Autistic students are typically identified under Communication - Autism or Multiple Exceptionalities categories, which trigger legal obligations for accommodations and support planning.
Source: Ontario Education Act · Open source record
Sources on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
Under the Ontario Education Act, every student with special needs is entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and access to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
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