Special Education Services: A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

D.9 Funding Special Education Services - Update

The current funding system, introduced on March 1, 2002, moved into the student base allocation a significant portion of those resources that, in the past, formed part of the special education supplement. This includes funds that were previously identified as part of the special education “core” allocation: funds for learning assistance, special health services, identification assessment/planning and hospital/homebound services and supplementary funds for students who are identified as having severe learning disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, students requiring moderate behaviour supports and students who are gifted.

Supplementary funding continues to be provided to school boards in addressing the aspects of special education for students who meet criteria as Level 1, 2 or 3 unique needs.

• Level 1 – includes students with multiple needs who are Dependent Handicapped or DeafBlind
• Level 2 – includes students with Moderate/Profound Intellectual Disabilities, with Physical Disabilities or Chronic Health Impairments, with Visual Impairments, with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Level 3 – includes students requiring Intensive Behaviour Interventions or students with Serious Mental Illness

Though the funding system changed, the obligations placed on school boards to address the special needs of students did not.

A summary of funding policy is available in the appendices of this manual or online at the Ministry Policy site.

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