Special education and inclusion in FSL programs

This is a guide for parents who may be concerned that their child learns differently and whether the French programs available (French Immersion, Extended French and Core French) are suitable to them. The process of working with the In School Support Team of psycho-educational experts in order to identify the student’s challenges and how to ensure support while continuing in the French program of their choice is clearly explained.
In the past, it may have been thought that students with Special Education needs should not participate (or would not thrive if they did) in FSL programs, particularly French Immersion and Extended French. Research on these programs and students with Special Education needs confronts that assumption and we know that students with Special Education needs can indeed benefit from, and thrive in FSL programs of all kinds. All efforts should be made to design and deliver a program that supports a wide range of learning styles and needs.