In 1996, the Department of education released the province’s first Special Education Policy. 

The Policy is intended to guide and further promote the development of educational programming for students with special needs. 

Supported by the Education Act, the policy promotes the principle of inclusion and views parents as integral partners in the individual program planning for their child and as part of the school planning team.

In May 2000, the Minister of Education established the Special Education Implementation Review Committee to report on the current status of the implementation of the Special Education Policy. 

The Committee, which included representation from parents, teachers, organizations representing children and youth with disabilities, school boards, universities and government departments, released their report in June 2001. 

The Report contained 34 recommendations to address the identified challenges in the on-going implementation of the policy.

In the spring of 2003, the Minister responded to each of the recommendations. Learning for Life 1 (Planning for Student Success), Learning for Life 11 (Brighter Futures Together) and Learning for Life 11 (Brighter Futures Together-2005-2006 Annual Report and 2006-2007 Action Plan) also identify actions that have been undertaken to address the recommendations.