YCDSB’s January 2025 special-board minutes approved discontinuing the Intensive Literacy Intervention Teacher program and using Lexia Core5 as a Tier 3 support for students in Grades 4 and 5. The parent question in 2026 is not only what changed, but what evidence-based support an individual child receives now.
Quick answer
What should families ask today?
Ask who provides the intervention, how often it occurs, which reading skill is targeted, how progress is measured and when the plan will be reviewed. A digital program can be one tool, but it does not remove the need for professional judgment, instruction and communication.
What the official decision said
The January 21, 2025 special-board minutes recorded the decision to discontinue ILIT and introduce Lexia Core5 in the stated Tier 3 role. Because implementation can evolve, families should verify the current model at their school rather than assuming every student receives the same schedule or staffing.
Focus on the child, not the program label
A useful plan names the specific need: decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, written expression or another area. It should also explain the baseline, instructional approach, frequency and progress measure.
- What screening or assessment identified the need?
- Is support delivered individually, in a small group, digitally or through a combination?
- Who reviews the data and adapts instruction?
- What happens if progress remains limited?
Connect literacy support to the IEP process
When a student has an IEP, parents can ask how reading goals, accommodations and teaching strategies connect to the intervention being used. If the concern is significant or persistent, discuss whether further assessment, a school-team meeting or an IPRC conversation is appropriate.
Monitor outcomes without assuming one answer
Some students may benefit from structured digital practice; others need more explicit teaching, different pacing or additional professional support. The responsible approach is to examine progress and adjust. Families can request a follow-up date and a plain-language explanation of the evidence being used.
Official sources
- YCDSB January 21, 2025 special-board minutes
- YCDSB multi-year financial recovery plan
- Ontario special education information for parents
- Ontario curriculum and resources
Related parent guides
Last reviewed: July 2026. Policies, programs and local procedures can change; confirm current details with the school or organization.