“Inclusive education is based on the principles of acceptance and inclusion of all students. Students see themselves reflected in their curriculum, their physical surroundings, and the broader environment, in which diversity is honoured and all individuals are respected.” (Realizing the Promise of Diversity: Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy, 2009, p. 4.)
As stated in Realizing the Promise of Diversity: Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy the Ontario Ministry of Education has incorporated inclusive education in all its documents to ensure that all students gain access to all programs,. In order the ensure that students participating in French as a Second Language (FSL) programs have the same opportunity, a document was developed to support the initiative. Including Students with Special Education Needs in French as a Second Language Programs: A Guide for Ontario Schools was developed in 2015 to guide school boards in making FSL education (French core, extended French and French immersion) inclusive to all students, particularly those with special needs. This includes those receiving services with an informal IEP, those identified under an IPRC and students who may not yet have an IEP.
The purpose of the document is to increase the participation and engagement in FSL programs while meeting the specific needs of these students and promoting their achievement. It provides information to educators, resource staff, school administration staff, system administrators and parents in order to increase awareness and understanding about the social benefits and the literacy supports needed for students with special needs, including those with learning disabilities (LDs). The document also presents information about the options available to students to increase their participation in the FSL program as well as outlines examples of actions from various school boards that ensure students’ participation.
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LD@school is a signature initiative of the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO), a registered charity and provincial leader in evidence-informed, inclusive, and accessible education.
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