The Student Appeals Branch is an administrative branch of the Ministry of Education that supports the student appeals process created by an amendment to the School Act in May 2007. Section 11 of the School Act provides for appeals to a Board of Education of certain decisions made by Board of Education employees. The new section 11.1 provides for an additional appeal to a Superintendent of Achievement under certain circumstances.

The Superintendent of Achievement is a statutory decision-maker who has the authority to determine whether an appeal should be dismissed, or be referred to mediation or adjudication. The Superintendent of Achievement can also temporarily suspend the operation of a Board of Education’s decision pending the outcome of a section 11.1 appeal.

The Student Appeals Branch oversees the appeal case management system, the roster of mediators and adjudicators and provides administrative support throughout the appeal process to the Superintendents of Achievement.

After submitting an appeal, a student or parent will receive an independent review of their appeal by an impartial decision-maker who is bound by the School Act, sections of the Administrative Tribunals Act and by the principles of natural justice.