What if I don't agree with the IPRC?

So you've had your IPRC meeting and you are unsure about how the IPRC personnel has identified your child, you don’t agree with the support plan for your child, or there is some other factor that you don’t agree with.  The IPRC will want you to sign the statement at the end of the meeting.  If you are unsure, you have the right to ask for more time to think about things.

If after thinking about the situation and you still do not agree with the IPRC, there are specific steps to follow.  As written on the People for Education website:

1.     If, after thinking about the IPRC decision, parents continue to disagree with it, then the parent can ask in writing to meet for a second time with the IPRC to consider the matter further. The request for the second meeting must be submitted within 15 days of the parent’s receipt of the original IPRC decision.

2.     If the parent feels that the second meeting was unsuccessful, or if the parent does not believe a second meeting with the IPRC would be helpful, the parent can ask that the decision of the IPRC be reviewed, by writing to the director of education of the school board requesting a meeting with a Special Education Appeal Board (SEAB). This request must be made within 30 days of the first IPRC decision, or within 15 days of notification of the outcome of the second IPRC meeting.

3.     The appeal board meeting must be held at a place and time convenient for the parents, and no later than 30 days after a chair of the appeal board has been selected. The appeal board must make its recommendation within three days of the meeting ending.

4.     If parents disagree with the appeal board decision they may apply to have their case heard by a provincial Special Education Tribunal.

5.     During the appeal process, the school or board cannot implement the placement decision made by the IPRC.

If things go this far, I would consider contacting your local Learning Disability Association Chapter as they may be able to give you some support, or point you to organizations that can offer support during the appeals process.

Good Luck!