Special Education Review 2023

Limestone Learning Foundation
Special Education Review 2023
Posted on 04/24/2023

Survey is now live until April 28, 2023: https://tejoin.com/scroll/357435034.

Limestone District School Board’s Educational Services Leadership Team is embarking on a Special Education Review between February 2023 and April 2023. The purpose of this review is to:



  • Examine our current special education supports and services and identify areas for refinement and enhancement to meet the needs of learners within an inclusive learning environment.
  • To gather student, family, staff, and community partner voices to identify priorities and key areas which may impact the success of students with special education needs.

As the needs of our students change, it is necessary to review and sometimes revise resources, supports, and services that are provided to students.  As with previous Special Education Reviews, a goals of this review are to examine resource allocation, strengthen partnerships, leverage supports, and identify professional learning opportunities for staff. 

Limestone students, staff, families, community members, and community stakeholders will be consulted through an online survey platform, Thought Exchange, in an effort to collect a wide variety of qualitative data on the question “What key supports and services are important for students with special education needs to experience success at school and reach their full potential?”.

The Thought Exchange will be available for students with special education needs and their families between February 27 and March 3, 2023, and then it will be available to Limestone staff and community members and partners starting April 24 to April 28, 2023. The information gathered through the Thought Exchange will be reviewed and analyzed by the Educational Services Team, allowing key ideas and input to inform the future planning, priorities, services, and supports available in Limestone. Final results and findings will be shared publicly in the Fall of 2023.

Additional information on Limestone’s Special Education programming, Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), Special Education Plan 2022-2023, previous Special Education Reviews, and our Special Education Support Model is available on our website.

Update: March 7, 2023
Thank you to the students and families who were able to participate in the first stage of the Limestone District School Board’s Special Education Review through ThoughtExchange. 

We had over 2,900 participants and 3,572 thoughts shared. These participants rated over 60,000 thoughts and the input will be so valuable to our future planning. 

Limestone’s Educational Services leadership team will now begin to analyze the feedback from the review. Additionally, we will be meeting with small focus groups of students and staff to explore the data together over the next few months. 

The second stage of the review will commence at the end of April when we open the survey to all Limestone students, families and staff, as well as community members and partners. This new audience will receive the same question that we asked participants in the first phase, and will have the same opportunity to rate and review the other answers provided. This is also an opportunity for those who were unable to participate in the first phase or those who would like to engage again to share their thoughts. 

Update: April 19, 2023
All students, families, staff and community members are invited to participate in the LDSB’s Special Education Review. Survey link will go live and be shared on this page from April 24-28, 2023.

Update: April 24, 2023
Survey link is now live until April 28, 2023:  https://tejoin.com/scroll/357435034.

If you have any questions regarding Limestone’s Special Education programming, or specific to this Special Education Review, please view the FAQs below, contact Michael Blackburn by e-mail at [email protected] or speak to your school administrator directly.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are we reviewing Limestone District School Board’s special education services?

Special education is an important component of the work we do in Limestone. We annually review our programs and services to ensure they continue to meet the needs of all of our students while making the best use of our resources.

How is the review being conducted?

Between February 2023 and April 2023, the Educational Services Leadership Team is embarking upon a consultation process using an online survey through the Thought Exchange platform available to Limestone students, staff, families, and community members in an effort to collect a wide variety of qualitative data. The purpose of this review is to ensure:
• our special education programs, services, supports, and resources continue to meet the changing needs of all of our students,
• we are making the best use of resources in Limestone, and
• we are continuing to serve students with special education needs within a creative, supportive, and inclusive environment.

Who is going to be consulted in this process?

The Board is providing a variety of stake stakeholders the opportunity to provide input throughout the consultation process. Stakeholders include Limestone students, staff, families, federation partners, community partners, and other invested in special education.

What does my student have to do to participate?

Students will be given the opportunity to participate in the online Thought Exchange in their classroom or on a one-on-one session with a Limestone staff member (i.e., classroom teacher, student support teacher, educational assistant, administrator, etc.).

What is the purpose of the review?

The purpose of the review is to examine our current special education supports and services and identify areas for refinement and enhancement to meet the needs of all learners within an inclusive learning environment, and to gather student staff, and community partner voices to identify priorities and key areas which may impact the success of students with special education needs.

Will the results influence changes to support and services provided to students? Will services be cut or added?

As the needs of our students change, it is necessary to review and sometimes revise the resources, supports, and services that are provided to students, ensuring they have what they need, when they need it, and how they need it. The goal of this review aims to reallocate resources as required, strengthen partnerships, leverage supports, and focus on professional learning for staff.

What types of changes can we expect in schools and classrooms from this review?

In Limestone, our approach is to ensure services are provided to all students. The majority of our special education resources support students in the classroom. Student services and supports will continue to be differentiated based on individual student needs.

What are the timelines of the review process?

The Thought Exchange will be available for students with special education needs and their families between February 27 and March 3, 2023, and then it will be available to Limestone staff and community members and community partners April 24 to 28, 2023.

The information gathered through the Thought Exchange will be reviewed and analyzed by the Educational Services Team. Key ideas and input will inform future planning, priorities, services, and supports. Final results and findings will be shared with the system and participants in Fall 2023.

Is this review routine? Or is it in response to changes to the special education funding?

This review is part of our annual process to ensure our programs and services continue to meet the needs of all our students in safe and inclusive learning environments.

How do I access the Thought Exchange survey?

The Thought Exchange survey can be accessed online on a computer, tablet, or phone though a direct URL and/or QR code that will be provided by the school through direct communication.

How long will it take to participate in the Thought Exchange survey?

It will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to access and participate in the Thought Exchange survey.

Are community partners and stakeholders being included in this review?

Yes, both community partners and stakeholders are being invited to actively participate in this review starting April 24, 2023.

What are the next steps after the review is completed? Will the results be shared with the public?

Findings from the review will be shared with the Board of Trustees, schools and participants in the Fall of 2023. Once the review is complete, the Educational Services Team will continue to monitor progress of the various initiatives, services and supports and will report the results to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and the Board of Trustees.

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.