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Saskatoon Public Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
​​​​​​​​​​​​​Click on the links below for frequently asked questions about special education.

How does Saskatoon Public Schools meet my child's special needs?

Students with significant learning needs may require a significant level of support. Students with intensive needs related to the following disability categories benefit from an Inclusion and Intervention Plan (IIP):
  • ​​Vision loss
  • Deaf/hard of hearing
  • Intellectual disability (ID) or intellectual developmental disorder (IDD)
  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Orthopedic disability
  • Mental health
  • Physical health
  • Prenatal substance exposure
  • Other diagnosed condition.

How are students identified for intensive support?

Each neighbourhood school team gathers information from the students’ parent(s)/guardian(s). The school team engages in conversations with the student and parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding the student’s learning strengths, gifts, interests, learning needs, hopes and goals for the future. 

In Saskatoon Public Schools, we use a needs-based assessment and planning tool to identify students in need of intensive support. The impact assessment includes an overall rubric which is used to assess a student’s development in each target area on a four-point scale to determine the frequency of support required: periodic, occasional, frequent or continuous. Students who require frequent or continuous support are eligible to access intensive supports. Typically, a student who requires intensive supports will have significant learning needs in multiple developmental areas such as safety, communication, health, personal-social wellbeing and academic achievement. 

We find that when completing the impact assessment, it is helpful to ask, “What is the impact of the student’s presenting need(s) on accessing curricula and what supports are required?” rather than asking, “What is the student’s disability?” 

Once a student’s IAP has been approved by a coordinator, the student’s individual plan is developed collaboratively with the student’s team including caregivers and documented in the form of an Inclusion and Intervention Plan or IIP. 

Who requires an IIP? Using the principles of a needs-based model of service delivery, the Ministry of Education expects school divisions to develop and implement IIPs to support the individual needs of the following students: 
  • Prekindergarten to Grade 12 students who have been identified as requiring intensive support to meet their needs
  • Students who require ongoing instructional strategies and supports beyond the Adaptive Dimension to best meet their needs
  • Students enrolled in a Functional Integrated program.​
The term IIP is unique to the province of Saskatchewan. Globally, these student plans are known as Individualized Education Plans or IEPs. 

Each student’s IIP is developed, implemented and monitored in a collaborative manner using a team approach. This is best accomplished through close communication with the student, the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s), school-and division-based team members and outside professionals and agencies.

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What are some of the supports and services provided?

We provide an array of services, including:
  • Assessment
  • Classroom supports
  • Resource teacher support
  • Counsellors/social workers
  • Speech-language services
  • Educational assistant support
  • Consultative supports
  • Special programs
  • Interagency collaboration
  • Planning and evaluation at the individual, school and community level.

What is assistive technology and how is it accessed?

Assistive technology allows students with disabilities to access the curriculum. To receive a technical aid, students must first meet the criteria for intensive support. Following this assessment, the school team submits a request and shows that the assistive technology will help the student access the educational program in a way that is otherwise unavailable. Approval must be obtained from the coordinator of special education at Saskatoon Public Schools. Once approved, the assistive technology is ordered and sent to the school. If the student moves to another school division, the assistive technology is returned to Special Education and re-assigned to another student.

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What are some of the programs offered to students with intensive needs?​

In Saskatoon Public Schools, educational programs are provided in a variety of settings ranging from inclusion in a regular classroom to participation in a classroom-based intensive support program (special program). Though students may require intensive, individualized support to meet their needs, most students requiring intensive supports attend their neighbourhood school. Students who experience more severe disabilities or need more intensive support and interventions than available in a regular classroom setting may be considered candidates for referral to a special program. 

Saskatoon Public Schools’ special programs are intended to support students residing in the city of Saskatoon seeking a public education. Special program placements are determined by the coordinator responsible for the program based on individual student learning needs, specific program eligibility criteria, referral, invitation and parent/guardian acceptance of the placement.
  • The Functional Life Skills​ (FLS) program is available for students ages 6 to 21 years of age with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Elementary students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities may access inclusive placements at their neighbourhood schools or in elementary FLS classrooms. At the collegiate level, students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities participate in high school FLS classrooms. 
  • The Functional Academics program is offered to elementary students with mild intellectual disabilities, who also face behaviour challenges. 
  • Alternative Education is offered at the collegiate level to secondary students with mild intellectual disabilities. Students follow a four- to five-year pathway to graduation to earn a Saskatchewan Grade 12 of Secondary Level Achievement: Alternative Education.
John Dolan School is a small, specialized school for students ages five to 21 with significant and multiple disabilities, including complex medical needs and a diagnosis of global developmental delay or intellectual developmental disorder/intellectual disability in the severe-profound range. John Dolan is also home to the Mary Vinish Snoezelen Park.

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Are services offered at the preschool level for students with intensive needs?

Yes. Research is clear that early intervention is highly beneficial for children with disabilities. Through the Early Learning Intensive Support (ELIS) program, Saskatoon Public Schools offers support to prekindergarten students who require intensive supports placed in prekindergarten spaces as available with access to individual or shared educational assistant support and consultative SLP support. 

The division operates two specialized prekindergarten programs through a service agreement with the Ministry of Education.
  • Step Ahead specialized prekindergarten supports children who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and significant behaviour to prepare students for the transition to kindergarten.
  • Language Learning specialized prekindergarten supports children who are deaf or hard of hearing with developing auditory and language skills to prepare students for the transition to kindergarten. ​
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Who can I contact for more information?​

For more information, please call the special education office at 306-683-8332. 
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