Submit an IEP Review Request - Toronto bylaw guide

Education Ontario 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Ontario

This guide explains how parents, guardians and adult students can submit a request to review an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in Toronto, Ontario. It summarizes the usual steps to ask the school to review an IEP, who is responsible for handling requests, how to raise concerns, and where to find official guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Education.[1] Use this page to prepare a written request, gather supporting records, and identify the school or board contacts who handle special education reviews in Toronto.

Overview

An IEP review request asks the school or school board to reconsider program, placement or accommodations for a student with special education needs. Reviews may follow scheduled annual reviews, parent requests, or changes in the student's needs. The school principal and the board's special education staff coordinate reviews and meetings.

Contact your school principal first to request an IEP review.

Penalties & Enforcement

Special education IEP review processes are administrative and remedial rather than regulatory with monetary fines. Specific fines or monetary penalties for failing to process an IEP review are not specified on the cited page and appear not to be a feature of provincial guidance for IEP reviews.[1]

  • Enforcer: the school board's Special Education department and the school principal are responsible for managing reviews and implementing IEPs.
  • Complaint and inspection pathways: parents should raise concerns with the principal, the board's special education contact, or the board-level appeals body where available.
  • Appeal/review time limits: specific statutory time limits for IEP review requests or appeals are not specified on the cited page; consult the board for its published timelines.[1]
  • Escalation: remedies are typically administrative (meetings, revised IEP, placement changes); escalation steps and any fees are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: available measures are primarily orders to review, meeting outcomes, revised IEP documents, and, where applicable, board decisions or written directives; court remedies may be available for legal disputes but are not detailed on the cited guidance.
If you cannot resolve a review informally, ask the board for its formal appeal or dispute process in writing.

Applications & Forms

Boards and schools may accept written requests from parents or guardians. A standardized provincial form for an "IEP review request" is not published on the cited guidance; specific board forms or templates are set by each school board and may be available on the board website.

How the review process typically works

  • Submit a written request to the school principal stating you want an IEP review and the reasons for the request.
  • Gather and provide assessments, medical or allied-health reports, and examples of current school work or progress reports.
  • Request a meeting to review the IEP with the school team, which may include the principal, classroom teacher, special education staff, and the parent or guardian.
  • At the meeting, discuss goals, accommodations, placement and measurable success criteria; ask for a written update to the IEP if changes are agreed.
  • If you disagree with the outcome, request the board's formal appeal or dispute resolution procedure in writing and follow the steps the board provides.
Keep a dated copy of all written communications and requests for your records.

Common issues and typical outcomes

  • Disagreement over accommodations — outcome: meeting and revised IEP or clarifying documentation.
  • Dispute about placement — outcome: placement review meeting; board-level review if unresolved.
  • Requests for additional assessment — outcome: referral to board assessment services or external assessor if agreed.

FAQ

Who can request an IEP review?
Parents, guardians or an adult student may request an IEP review; request the review in writing to the school principal.
Is there a fee to request an IEP review?
Fees for requesting an IEP review are not specified on the cited page; most school boards do not charge a fee for an internal review.
What if I disagree with the board's decision?
If you disagree, ask the board for its formal appeal or dispute resolution process and follow the published steps; if unresolved, seek information on further legal remedies.

How-To

  1. Contact the school principal by phone or email to state you want an IEP review and ask how to make a written request.
  2. Prepare a written request describing concerns, dates, and desired outcomes; attach relevant assessments or reports.
  3. Request a meeting in writing and propose dates; confirm who from the school will attend.
  4. Attend the meeting, take notes, and ask for a written summary or revised IEP within a reasonable time.
  5. If unresolved, request the board's formal appeal process in writing and follow the board's published steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with a written request to your school principal and keep dated copies of all communications.
  • Bring supporting assessments to the review meeting and request a written IEP update if changes are agreed.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Ontario Ministry of Education - Special education

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