Message from the Associate Chair

On behalf of the Ontario Special Education (English) Tribunal (OSET) I am pleased to welcome you to our website. OSET (English) is an independent adjudicative agency that hears appeals from parents regarding the identification and/or the special education placement of exceptional pupils. The OSET (English) renders decisions which are final and binding on the parties (parents and the school board) and are made in the best interest of the pupil.

The OSET (English) was established in 1980 and it operates under the jurisdiction of the Education Act. The OSET (English) receives appeals from the 60 English Public and Catholic school boards in Ontario.

On January 25, 2011, the OSET (English) became part of the newly designated Social Justice Tribunals Ontario (SJTO). The SJTO brings together the Special Education Tribunals (English and French) and five other adjudicative tribunals: Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB), Custody Review Board (CRB), Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) and the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT).

The cluster is led by Executive Chair Michael Gottheil. The former Chairs of the seven adjudicative tribunals were re-designated as Associate Chairs. You may find more information about the Social Justice Tribunals Ontario at www.sjto.gov.on.ca.

This website provides information regarding all aspects of the Tribunal’s procedures. The website also assures that Tribunal decisions are accessible and available to the people of Ontario.

It is our hope that the OSET (English) website offers you useful and detailed information and assists parents, exceptional children and youth, school boards and all other interested individuals in understanding the appeal rights of exceptional pupils and their families. Thank you for visiting our website.

Marilyn Thain
Associate Chair
October 12, 2011