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Suspensions follow a formal process under Part XIII of the Education Act. A suspension runs from 1 to 20 school days, and you can appeal it to the school board — but written notice of your intention to appeal must reach the board's designated supervisory officer within 10 school days of the start of the suspension. Before suspending, the school must consider mitigating factors under Ontario Regulation 472/07 — including whether the behaviour was a manifestation of a disability identified in your child's IEP, and whether individualized accommodation was actually provided. Act quickly: the appeal window is short.
Check the clock first
Written notice of intention to appeal must be given within 10 school days of the start of the suspension (Education Act, s. 309(3)). Confirm the deadline with the board today.
Get the written notice
You should receive written notice of the suspension. If you only heard verbally, ask for the written notice immediately.
Ask about mitigating factors
Ask, in writing, how the school considered the O. Reg. 472/07 factors — including whether the behaviour was a manifestation of your child's disability and whether the IEP's accommodations were in place that day.
Consider the appeal
A parent may appeal to the board; the board must hear the appeal within 15 school days of receiving your notice, and can confirm, shorten, or quash and expunge the suspension.
Please send me the written suspension notice. Before the suspension was decided, how were the mitigating factors in Ontario Regulation 472/07 considered — specifically, whether the behaviour was a manifestation of my child's disability identified in the IEP, and whether the accommodations in the IEP were in place at the time? Who is the board's designated supervisory officer for suspension appeals, and what is the deadline for my written notice of intention to appeal? Please reply in writing.
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Build my plan and lettersSuspension appeals go to the board — this is already a board-level process with a statutory deadline.
See the full escalation ladderSOURCE
Government of Ontario • 2024-01-01
SOURCE
e-Laws • 2008-02-01
SOURCE
Ontario Ministry of Education • 2018-12-19
Last updated: 2026-07-04
Verified Facts
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)
89,799, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
1 in 50, According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
23%, Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement