Bill 108 mandates Ontario school boards to develop policies and guidelines regarding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The bill also requires teacher colleges and early childhood education programs to incorporate FASD training into their curricula. The primary goal of this legislation is to improve the overall school experience, academic performance, and positive social outcomes for children with FASD. 

https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-108

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School Boards in Ontario are individually figuring out how to best implement this. In the Peel Board the confined "labeled" classrooms will be fazed out as of September, 2025.  They will be offering instead "Learning Hubs," where each classroom will have students presenting with the same "profiles", therefore reaching students who  may not have a diagnosis but can benefit from this structure.

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In the Peel District School Board (PDSB), Learning Hubs will be implemented as part of a transition from Special Programs congregated classes, aiming to create more inclusive learning environments. These hubs will prioritize student needs beyond diagnosis or exceptionality, focusing on communication, independence, curriculum access, and environmental settings. They will also maintain the same EA support ratios as current congregated classes. 

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Key elements of Learning Hubs in the PDSB:

• Inclusivity:

  Placement in Learning Hubs will consider a wider range of factors beyond exceptionality, promoting more inclusive learning environments. 

• Focus on Needs:

  Placement decisions will be based on student needs related to communication, independence, curriculum access, and environmental settings. 

• EA Support:

  The Learning Hubs will maintain the same student-to-EA ratios as current Special Programs congregated classes, ensuring adequate support for all students. 

• Technology Integration:

  The PDSB utilizes platforms like Brightspace and Microsoft Teams for virtual learning, offering both synchronous and asynchronous activities, small group discussions, and individual conferences. 

• Physical Spaces:

  The Collaborative Learning and Technology Centre (CLTC) features accessible spaces, innovation classrooms, and programming focused on areas like DJing, design challenges, and robotics. 

• Equity and Human Rights:

  The shift to Learning Hubs aims to maximize inclusion and challenge ableism, ensuring all students have equal access to educational opportunities. 

 

For more information, you can refer to the PDSB's Special Education Program and Placement Updates and the Special Education Program Changes for 2025-2026 document.

• Special Education Program Changes for 2025-2026

  Feb 18, 2025 — Equity & Human Rights Review: 1. Maximizing Inclusion for Equity Shifting to promote more inclusive special education ...

  Peel District School Board

• 2025 Special Education Program and Placement Updates

  All Special Programs congregated classes will transition to Learning Hubs in Sept 2025. Placement in these classes will no longer ...

  Peel District School Board

• Virtual Learning at PDSB - Peel Board Office Site

  Dec 22, 2023 — Students participate entirely online, creating a dynamic community that extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries

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