Special attention

According to a survey of children's teachers during the 1994/95 school year, about 1 in every 10 students at the elementary level receives special education beyond what the regular classroom offers. Most of these students—who have learning disabilities or emotional, behavioural or other problems limiting their ability to do school work—are taught in their regular classes but also receive a portion of their education in a special class or resource room.

Educators observe that elementary school students from low-income families are more likely to be receiving some form of special education. Two out of three of the children with special needs in elementary school are boys.