A controversial recommendation is being made at some schools in Ontario.

Nearly half the principals of Ontario’s elementary schools and about 40 per cent of high school principals have recommended that students with special needs not attend school the full day.  A report released today by the non-profit People For Education is based on a survey of more than 1300 elementary and secondary school principals from all 72 of the province’s school boards.

The Education Act requires students aged six to 18 to attend school unless excused due to illness or  “other unavoidable cause.”  But principals have a legal duty not to admit anyone whose presence they believe would have a negative impact on students’ physical or mental well-being.