Education in the NWT is committed to an inclusive philosophy and practice, which welcomes all students into its schools. Inclusive schooling provides all students with learning opportunities appropriate to their diverse strengths and needs, in classroom with their age peers. IEP Guidelines (Pilot Version) A student's program is characterized by its learning outcomes:

• Regular education = curricular learning outcomes at grade level
• Modified education program = curricular learning outcomes above or below grade level
• Individual education program = student specific learning outcomes which may or may not include curricular learning outcomes

Accommodations / adaptations

Students following any of these programs may have a range of accommodations/adaptations to help them meet the learning outcomes of their program. Accommodations/adaptations do not alter the learning outcomes of a program, but they help students to achieve those outcomes by taking into account individual strengths and needs.

What is an IEP?

Individualized Education Plan or Program - A comprehensive written education plan with goals and objectives, determined through a collaborative process, and driven by the strengths, needs and interests of the students, needs and interest of the students. It may or may not include outcomes articulated in NWT curricula. The purpose of an IEP is to help the student attain the skills and knowledge that are the next logical step beyond their current level of performance and which are relevant to their life goals and environment. An IEP describes what the student knows and can do and, based on the long-term goals identified, what and how the student should learn next, where instruction would take place, who will provide it, how long it may take, and what the student will do to demonstrate learning. An IEP is written as an individual education plan of one school year’s duration. Short-term goals and short-term learning objectives may be adjusted any time during the school year but will be reviewed at least twice a year. The student’s progress on the IEP will be evaluated at the end of each school year and recommendations will be made for the following year.

A team approach

A team approach to educating all children is advocated. Collaborative program planning with students, parents and educators involved is desirable for all students. Throughout the child’s schooling, students and parents are involved in discussions of the most appropriate program for their child based on the child’s strengths and needs.