Education Act
R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 296
ONTARIO SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND AND THE DEAF
Historical version for the period July 27, 2005 to May 4, 2008.
Last amendment: O. Reg. 447/05.
This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.
Interpretation
1. In this Regulation,
“applicant” means an applicant for admission to a School; (“candidat”)
“bursar” means the business administrator of a School; (“intendant”)
“Director” means the Executive Director of the Regional Services Division of the Ministry; (“directeur”)
“Indian” means,
(a) an Indian as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), or
(b) an Eskimo,
who is not qualified to be a resident pupil of a board; (“Indien”)
“parent” includes a guardian; (“père ou mère”)
“residence counsellor” means a person employed as a residence counsellor in a School; (“conseiller d’établissement”)
“School” means a school referred to in section 2; (“école”)
“Superintendent” means the Superintendent of a School. (“surintendant”) R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 1.
Designations
2. (1) The Ontario School for the Blind, Brantford is designated as The W. Ross Macdonald School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 2 (1).
(2) The Ontario School for the Deaf, Belleville is designated as The Sir James Whitney School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 2 (2).
(3) The Ontario School for the Deaf, Milton is designated as The Ernest C. Drury School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 2 (3).
(4) The Ontario School for the Deaf, London is designated as The Robarts School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 2 (4).
(5) The Ontario School for the Deaf, Blind and Deaf-blind, Ottawa is designated as the Centre Jules-Léger. O. Reg. 323/04, s. 1; O. Reg. 447/05, s. 1.
Admissions
3. (1) Where an applicant who is not an Indian, or the parent of such applicant, submits to the Superintendent evidence satisfactory to the Superintendent that,
(a) the applicant will be under the age of twenty-one years on the first day of the school year for which he or she seeks admission;
(b) because of a visual or an auditory handicap, or both, as certified by a legally qualified medical practitioner, the applicant is in need of a special educational program in the School;
(c) if the applicant is under eighteen years of age, the applicant’s parent is a resident of Ontario; and
(d) if the applicant is eighteen years of age or over, the applicant is a resident of Ontario,
the Superintendent shall, subject to subsection (2) and subsection 8 (1), admit the applicant to the School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 3 (1).
(2) An applicant who is qualified to be a resident pupil of a board that operates a day class for the hearing impaired that would be appropriate to the applicant shall not be admitted to an Ontario School for the Deaf except where in the opinion of the Minister the admission is in the best interests of the applicant. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 3 (2).
(3) Where an applicant who is not an Indian and who will be twenty-one years of age or over on the first day of the school year for which he or she seeks admission submits to the Superintendent evidence satisfactory to the Superintendent under clauses (1) (b) and (d), and the Minister approves the admission of the applicant, the Superintendent shall admit the applicant to the School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 3 (3).
4. Where the minister of education for a province of Canada other than Ontario,
(a) requests admission for an applicant,
(i) whose parent resides in that province or who, being eighteen years of age or over, himself or herself resides in that province,
(ii) to whom clause 3 (1) (b) applies, and
(iii) who is not inadmissible under subsection 8 (1); and
(b) agrees to pay such fees as are payable for the instruction and maintenance of the applicant, and the Minister approves the admission of the applicant, the Superintendent shall admit the applicant. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 4.
5. Where the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for Canada,
(a) requests admission for an applicant who,
(i) is an Indian to whom clause 3 (1) (b) applies, and
(ii) is not inadmissible under subsection 8 (1); and
(b) agrees to pay such fees as are payable for the instruction and maintenance of the applicant,
and the Minister approves the admission of the applicant, the Superintendent shall admit the applicant. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 5.
6. Where an applicant who is not an Indian and who,
(a) has not attained the age of eighteen years and whose parent is not a resident of any province of Canada; or
(b) has attained the age of eighteen years and is not a resident of any province of Canada,
submits to the Superintendent evidence satisfactory to the Superintendent under clause 3 (1) (b), the Superintendent shall, where the Minister approves the admission of the applicant, admit the applicant to the School upon payment of a fee, determined by the Minister, that shall be not greater than the fee payable under section 10. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 6; O. Reg. 323/04, s. 2.
7. Where an applicant is eligible for admission under section 3, 4, 5 or 6, the Superintendent may admit him or her at any time during the school year provided that accommodation and a program are available. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 7.
8. (1) An applicant shall not be admitted to a School if he or she is unable to profit from instruction in a program at the School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 8 (1).
(2) Where, in respect of an applicant, doubt exists as to whether,
(a) evidence submitted under clause 3 (1) (b) establishes that the applicant is in need of a special educational program; or
(b) the applicant is able to profit from instruction in a program,
at the School, the admission of the applicant may be for a trial period. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 8 (2).
(3) Upon the request of the Superintendent, or of the parent of an applicant, or of an applicant who is eighteen years of age or over, the Minister may appoint a committee to hear and determine any question concerning the eligibility for admission of the applicant. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 8 (3).
Fees
9. No fee is payable in respect of a pupil admitted to a School under section 3. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 9.
10. (1) The fee payable in a fiscal year in respect of a pupil who is admitted under section 4 or 5 to a school designated in section 2 is determined in accordance with this section. O. Reg. 323/04, s. 3.
(2) In the case of a pupil who is not in residence at the school, the fee is the amount determined under subsection (4). O. Reg. 323/04, s. 3.
(3) In the case of a pupil who is in residence at the school, the fee is the amount determined under subsection (5). O. Reg. 323/04, s. 3.
(4) The amount referred to in subsection (2) is determined as follows:
1. For the schools designated in section 2, determine the total of their estimated operating costs for the fiscal year, excluding, where applicable, the estimated costs of external resource services, teacher education, residence operating expenses and residence counsellors, food services, the laundry, the summer course for parents, the media centre and any special projects.
2. Divide the amount determined under paragraph 1 by the total number of pupils enrolled in the schools designated in section 2 as of September 30th of the fiscal year. O. Reg. 323/04, s. 3.
(5) The amount referred to in subsection (3) is determined as follows:
1. For the schools designated in section 2, determine the total of their,
i. estimated residence operating expenses for the fiscal year,
ii. residence counsellor expenses for the fiscal year,
iii. laundry expenses for the fiscal year, and
iv. food services expenses for the fiscal year, excluding food services for staff and for students who are not in residence.
2. Divide the amount determined under paragraph 1 by the total number of pupils who are in residence in the schools designated in section 2 as of September 30th of the fiscal year.
3. Add the amount determined under paragraph 2 to the amount determined under subsection (4). O. Reg. 323/04, s. 3.
11. Revoked: O. Reg. 323/04, s. 3.
12. Revoked: O. Reg. 323/04, s. 3.
Transportation
13. (1) The Superintendent may provide daily transportation to and from a School for pupils of the school who are not in residence at the School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 13 (1).
(2) The Minister may pay all or part of the transportation costs for a pupil admitted to a School under section 3 where the board of which such pupil is qualified to be a resident pupil does not provide transportation to and from the School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 13 (2).
Duties of Pupils
14. A pupil at a School shall,
(a) except with the permission of the Superintendent, be in attendance on the first day in the school year and attend classes punctually and regularly during the school year;
(b) take such tests and examinations as may be required by the Superintendent;
(c) exercise self-discipline and accept such discipline as would be exercised by a kind, firm and judicious parent;
(d) be clean in his or her person and habits, diligent in his or her studies and courteous to other pupils and to the teaching and non-teaching staff of the School;
(e) be responsible to the Superintendent for his or her conduct on the school premises, on out-of-school activities and programs sponsored by the School and while travelling on a bus under contract to or owned by the Ministry;
(f) leave the school premises only under conditions specified by the Superintendent; and
(g) if the pupil is in residence at the School, participate in the programs provided by the residence counsellor for his or her residence area. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 14.
Duties of Teachers
15. A person employed to teach at a School shall, in addition to the duties of a teacher under the Act,
(a) be responsible for effective instruction in the subjects assigned to him or her by the Superintendent, the management of his or her classes and the discipline in his or her classroom;
(b) co-operate with officials of the Ministry and the Superintendent for the purposes of planning and evaluating the program of instruction;
(c) make adequate provision in his or her daily program for the individual differences of the pupils in his or her classes so that each pupil may experience a reasonable amount of success;
(d) prepare for use in his or her class or classes such teaching plans and outlines as are required by the Superintendent and submit the plans and outlines to the Superintendent on request;
(e) assist in maintaining discipline in the School and in fostering school spirit and morale; and
(f) carry out such supervisory duties as may be assigned by the Superintendent. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 15.
Duties of Residence Counsellors
16. A residence counsellor shall,
(a) be responsible for the residence area assigned to him or her by the Superintendent and provide for the safety, health, comfort and well-being of pupils in such area;
(b) plan and provide programs to encourage and promote the growth and development of each pupil in the residence area and evaluate such programs;
(c) make adequate provision for individual differences of the pupils in the programs that he or she provides;
(d) record the growth and development of each pupil in the residence area;
(e) assist in maintaining school spirit, morale and discipline;
(f) carry out such supervisory duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Superintendent; and
(g) co-operate with the Superintendent in all matters affecting the School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 16.
Parents
17. (1) There shall be deposited with the bursar a sum of at least $20 to defray the personal incidental expenses of a pupil enrolled in a School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 17 (1).
(2) As a condition of admission of a pupil to a School, the parent of the pupil or the pupil, where he or she is over eighteen years of age, shall agree,
(a) to supply on request of the Superintendent personal items necessary to enable the pupil to participate in school programs;
(b) to provide transportation and escort for the pupil where necessary to ensure regular attendance if such transportation and escort is not otherwise provided;
(c) to authorize the Superintendent, upon recommendation of the school physician, to arrange in case of emergency for the admission of the pupil to a hospital for treatment or surgery;
(d) to permit such medical treatment of the pupil as may be recommended by the school physician, subject to any other consent that may be required;
(e) to guarantee payment for medical and dental services required by the pupil during the school year, except such services that are provided by the School; and
(f) to notify the Superintendent promptly of the reason for the absence of the pupil. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 17 (2).
(3) The parent of a pupil may visit with the pupil at the School in which the pupil is enrolled as authorized by the Superintendent. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 17 (3).
Duties of Superintendent
18. There shall be for each School a Superintendent who shall,
(a) admit pupils in accordance with this Regulation;
(b) determine the pupils who shall be in residence at the School and the pupils who shall reside in homes approved by him or her;
(c) determine the mode of transportation to and from School to be used by a pupil for whom such transportation is provided by the School;
(d) assign pupils to classes and programs;
(e) transfer and promote such pupils as he or she considers proper;
(f) establish and maintain, and retain, transfer and dispose of, a pupil record in respect of each pupil enrolled in the School, in the manner prescribed by the regulations;
(g) at least once in every calendar year provide for a review of the placement of each pupil to ensure that the program is appropriate for the capabilities and needs of the pupil;
(h) recommend for a Secondary School Graduation Diploma or a Secondary School Honour Graduation Diploma a pupil of the School who has completed the requirements for such diploma;
(i) be in charge of the organization, management and discipline of the School and ensure that proper supervision is maintained at all times;
(j) furnish to the Director, on his or her request, information on any matter affecting the interests of the School;
(k) arrange for regular inspection of the school premises and report promptly to the Ministry of Government Services any repairs required to be made by that Ministry;
(l) determine the times at which pupils may leave the school premises and the times at which they may be visited at the School;
(m) notify the parent immediately if a pupil becomes seriously ill or requires hospital treatment off the school property;
(n) notify the parent if a pupil damages or destroys school property and request suitable compensation;
(o) hold emergency drills at the School and the residences at least six times during the school year and require that every pupil and staff member take part therein;
(p) report promptly to the local medical officer of health and the Director any cases of infectious or contagious disease in the School; and
(q) report at least once each term the progress of each pupil to his or her parent, or to the pupil where the pupil is eighteen years of age or over. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 18.
19. (1) The Superintendent may dismiss a pupil from a School or from a program in the School for a period not exceeding thirty days because of misconduct, persistent opposition to authority, habitual neglect of duty, the wilful destruction of school property, the use of profane or wilfully insulting language, or conduct injurious to the moral tone of the School or to the physical or mental well-being of others in the School and, where a pupil has been so dismissed, the Superintendent shall notify forthwith in writing the pupil, his or her teachers, the parent of the pupil and the Director of the dismissal, the reasons therefor and the right of appeal under subsection (2). R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 19 (1).
(2) The parent of a pupil who has been dismissed under subsection (1), or the dismissed pupil where the pupil is eighteen years of age or over, may, within seven days of the commencement of the dismissal, appeal to the Director against the dismissal, and the Director, after hearing the appeal or where no appeal is made, may remove, confirm or modify the dismissal and, where he or she considers it appropriate, may order that any record of the dismissal be expunged. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 19 (2).
(3) The Director may dismiss a pupil permanently from a School on the ground that the pupil’s conduct is so refractory that his or her presence is injurious to other pupils where,
(a) the Superintendent so recommends;
(b) the pupil and his or her parent have been notified in writing of,
(i) the recommendation of the Superintendent, and
(ii) the right of the pupil where the pupil is eighteen years of age or over, and otherwise of his or her parent, to make representations at a hearing to be conducted by the Director; and
(c) such hearing has been conducted. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 19 (3).
(4) The parties to a hearing under this section shall be the parent of the pupil, or the pupil where he or she is eighteen years of age or over, and the Superintendent. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 19 (4).
20. (1) The Superintendent may discharge a pupil,
(a) for failure to make progress satisfactory to the Superintendent; or
(b) where the pupil is no longer in need of a special educational program in the School and another program placement would be more appropriate for the pupil. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 20 (1).
(2) Where a pupil has been discharged under subsection (1), the Superintendent shall,
(a) notify in writing the pupil and the parent of the pupil, of the discharge, the reason therefor and the right of appeal to the Director;
(b) counsel the parent of the pupil, or the pupil where he or she is eighteen years of age or over, in respect of the opportunities available to the pupil; and
(c) give supportive guidance to the parent and to the pupil where, in the opinion of the Superintendent, such guidance is necessary. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 20 (2).
(3) The parent of a pupil who has been discharged under subsection (1), or the discharged pupil where he or she is eighteen years of age or over, may, within seven days of the discharge, appeal to the Director against the discharge, and the Director, after hearing the appeal or where no appeal is made, may confirm the discharge or order that the pupil be readmitted to the School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 20 (3).
(4) The parties to a hearing under this section shall be the parent of the pupil, or the pupil where he or she is eighteen years of age or over, and the Superintendent. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 20 (4).
21. A Superintendent may cause a pupil to be sent home because of,
(a) serious or continued ill-health of the pupil; or
(b) the need of the pupil for medical treatment, certified by the school physician. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 21.
Superintendent’s Advisory Council
22. (1) A Superintendent may establish a Superintendent’s Advisory Council for his or her School to make recommendations to the Superintendent in respect of the organization, administration and government of the School. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 22 (1).
(2) A Superintendent’s Advisory Council established under subsection (1) shall be composed of at least six persons appointed by the Superintendent, and such Council shall meet at the call of the Superintendent at least twice during each school year. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 22 (2).
(3) A member of a Superintendent’s Advisory Council is entitled to be reimbursed for his or her expenses necessarily incurred to attend a meeting of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 22 (3).
Qualifications of Teachers
23. (1) A teacher employed to teach the deaf at a School shall hold,
(a) a certificate of qualification to teach in an elementary school or a secondary school in Ontario or a letter of standing; and
(b) the Diploma in Deaf Education granted by the Minister or qualifications in education of the deaf that the Minister considers equivalent thereto. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 23 (1).
(2) A deaf adult may be employed to teach the deaf at a School if he or she holds a Permanent Letter of Standing valid for the teaching of the deaf. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 23 (2).
(3) A teacher employed to teach the blind at a School shall,
(a) hold a certificate of qualification to teach in an elementary school or a secondary school in Ontario or a letter of standing; and
(b) have completed, or be actively engaged in completing, the requirements for the specialist qualification for teaching the blind, or hold qualifications in education of the blind that the Minister considers equivalent thereto. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 23 (3).
(4) A teacher employed to teach the deaf-blind at a School shall,
(a) hold a certificate of qualification to teach in an elementary school or a secondary school in Ontario or a letter of standing; and
(b) have completed, or be actively engaged in completing, the requirements for the specialist qualification for teaching the deaf-blind, or hold qualifications in education of the deaf-blind that the Minister considers equivalent thereto. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 296, s. 23 (4).
