Direct answer
Education Act, Human Rights Code, and listed guidance · Verified 2026-07-04
- First steps
- Put the problem in writing, keep the dated record.
- Escalation
- Give each level a fair chance to fix it before you climb.
School Principal
Put your concern in writing to the principal. Most issues resolve at this level once there is a dated, written record — and every later rung will ask what you raised here.
What it can do: Can fix most day-to-day issues: supports, communication, meetings, IEP implementation.
Superintendent of Special Education
If the principal does not respond in writing or the issue continues, escalate to the board's superintendent responsible for special education, attaching your correspondence with the school.
What it can do: Can direct school-level change. The Education Act (s. 170(1) para. 7) requires boards to provide special education programs and services for their exceptional pupils.
Director of Education / School Board
The board level: the Director of Education, and in parallel the board's SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) for systemic issues. Suspension appeals also live here — with a 10-school-day notice window (Education Act, s. 309(3)).
What it can do: Can review board-wide decisions. IPRC identification/placement appeals go to a Special Education Appeal Board within 30 days of the statement of decision (O. Reg. 181/98, ss. 26–31).
Ombudsman Ontario
Since September 1, 2015, the Ontario Ombudsman takes complaints about school boards. It reviews how the board handled your concern — bring your dated chronology and the record of the steps you already took.
What it can do: Can investigate and make recommendations. It cannot make binding orders. Free and confidential.
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (information only)
The HRTO hears applications about discrimination, including disability discrimination in education services. Applications must be filed within one year of the incident (or the last in a series) — Human Rights Code, s. 34(1). This site provides general information only; get advice from the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (hrlsc.on.ca) or a lawyer before filing.
What it can do: Can order remedies under s. 45.2 of the Code where discrimination is proven. A formal legal proceeding — free legal help exists (HRLSC, ARCH).
Two deadlines worth knowing
| Process | Timing | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension appeals | written notice of intention to appeal must be given to the board within 10 school days of the start of the suspension (Education Act, s. 309(3)). | Education Act, s. 309(3) |
| HRTO applications | within one year of the incident, or of the last incident in a series (Human Rights Code, s. 34(1)). The Tribunal can accept late applications only where the delay was in good faith and causes no substantial prejudice (s. 34(2)) — confirm your timing with the Human Rights Legal Support Centre or a lawyer. | Human Rights Code, ss. 34(1) and 34(2) |
The school escalation ladder
Put the problem in writing, keep the dated record, and give each level a fair chance to fix it before you climb.
Legal authority for this page
| Date | Record | Publisher | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-01 | Ontario Education Act — Special Education Requirements (IPRC, IEP) | Government of Ontario | Government source |
| 1998-04-01 | Ontario Regulation 181/98 — Identification and Placement of Exceptional Pupils | e-Laws | Government source |
| 1990-01-01 | Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19 | e-Laws | Government source |
| 2015-09-01 | Ombudsman Ontario — School Boards (jurisdiction since September 1, 2015) | Ombudsman Ontario | Government source |
| 2026-07-04 | Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario — Application and Hearing Process | Tribunals Ontario | Government source |
| 2026-07-04 | Ontario Special Education Tribunal (OSET) — Tribunals Ontario | Tribunals Ontario | Government source |