Special Education

Last updated December 20th, 2011

 Earl of March Secondary School aims to provide all students with equal opportunity for success. Students who have been designated as having special education needs will have the opportunity to receive assistance from the Special Education Department. An Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) will be developed and maintained for those identified students. The curriculum expectations for students with IEPs will be accommodated to provide assistance to help students achieve their potential.

The Special Education Resource Team will provide program support to promote the overall success of the exceptional student in the regular classroom in a secondary school setting.  This support includes support for students with organization skills, solving skills and self advocacy skills. 

There are 2 different ways to receive this support.

  • Some IEP students select the learning strategies course to build on these skills and may get up to 2 different credits in learning strategies to count towards their OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma).  Many elect to take one in grade nine and another in grade ten if they need intensive support. Students receive daily instruction and support through this period. 
  • If a student is not taking a resource period, they are welcome to visit their learning support teacher outside of class time. The resource room is open during lunch hour and appointments can also be made by students for before or after school. The resource room is available all periods of the day to allow for assessment accommodations (extra time, alternate location, computer use, oral responses) and in class support.

The Resource team includes:

  • Mary Saunders, Head of Special Education, Learning Support Teacher
  • Alex Massett, Learning Support Teacher
  • Debbie Paterson and Sandra Lapierre, Educational Assistants who support students in the regular class environment

Learning Support Teachers develop IEPs and monitor the progress of IEPd students.  They are a resource to teaching staff in creating specific strategies to support student learning.  Students tend to visit their learning support teacher at busy points in the semester. The resource room is available all periods of the day to allow for assessment accommodations and in class support.

Electronic Resources

Parent/Student Resources.pdf
Learning Strategies:  course description and expectations.pdf
Tips for writing exams and tests.pdf