The team includes the school principal (who acts as chairperson); a teacher from each of the primary, junior, and intermediate levels in the elementary schools; subject teachers in the secondary schools and special education resource teachers. The in-school special education team is a collaborative problem-solving group which holds regular meetings throughout the school year. This process encourages classroom teachers to assist their colleagues in resolving instructional problems while searching out new teaching strategies and ideas. Good teaching practices are appropriate to all pupils, as all pupils have learning strengths and individual learning styles.

This is a team of professionals from central office who make regular visits to a family of schools. Through the direction of the Special Education consultant they interact with the in-school team to problem solve around very difficult situations. Acting as collaborative consultants, they provide support for principals, teachers and other staff. Through the Special Education consultants, other central office resources can be assessed. This team has an important role to play in school program monitoring and improvement.

The resource teacher's role is defined as emphasizing collaboration and peer support for the regular classroom teacher. The resource teacher is responsible for assisting the classroom teacher to develop strategies and activities to support the inclusion of exceptional pupils within the regular classroom. The resource teacher carries out a variety of activities but all are designed to help teachers solve problems and work out the best alternatives for instruction. Among these are the following:

• assessment;

• program implementation;

• program monitoring;

• direct instruction;

• communication and liaison with parents and

• community agencies.

The Special Education Department provides support for schools in the following areas:

• Child and Youth Counselling

• Speech and Language Pathology

• Hearing and Vision

• Alternative Education Programs

• Computer Resource Technology

• Psychological Services

This is a team that assesses, and then may intervene, to assist pupils who exhibit extreme misbehaviours over a prolonged period. This is done collaboratively with the in-school team. Together, they develop and organize plans in conjunction with the classroom teacher, the pupil, and the family. The plan is implemented and its effectiveness reviewed.

This may involve the parents and other service providers. Behavior Team members will assist the classroom teacher with implementing the plan. The personnel involved have regular contact to ensure that the change is taking place. Adjustments and modifications to the plan are made as needed.

Educational Assistants are assigned centrally to the individual school principal, based on the individual school's intensive support amount claims. They are assigned to assist the school in the following areas of exceptionality as outlined by the Ministry of Education and Training: