SECTION 612:20-5-7. Admissions process

(a)   Referrals/Admission procedures. Any child between preschool and age 21, who is resident of Oklahoma, may be eligible to be admitted to Oklahoma School for the Blind/Parkview. The minimum criteria for admission is a corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye and/or field no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye or a visual impairment which even with the best correction adversely affects performance in a regular classroom. Visual impairment should be a major contributor to the student's inability to succeed in the public school. Referrals may be initiated by school districts, RESC's, educational cooperatives, parents, and/or third party agencies or individuals.

(b)   Application. Applications are sent to parents to be completed. Prior to consideration for admission, the records in (1) - (10) of this Subsection are requested:

(1)   academic records/transcripts;

(2)   most recent IEP;

(3)   medical records;

(4)   birth certificate;

(5)   immunization records;

(6)   ophthalmological or optometric information;

(7)   psychological report;

(8)   social/emotional information;

(9)   attendance and disciplinary records; and

(10)   any other information that may be pertinent.

(c)   Review of records/evaluation. Upon receipt of a referral, all student admissions will be determined by a staffing with an OSB multidisciplinary team. OSB staff will evaluate each child to determine eligibility status and decide whether he/she can benefit from attending OSB. The team may request that the child come to campus to be evaluated for either a 2-day or a 9-day evaluation to determine eligibility.

(d)   Placement evaluation. All student admissions will begin with a 30-day observation evaluation period. OSB staff will evaluate each child and decide whether he/she can benefit from OSB services. Parents should feel free to visit with their child during this 30-day period and may, if they choose, remove their child from the program at any time. If additional time appears to be needed for evaluation purposes, a short-term IEP will be written at the end of the 30-day evaluation period to extend this time.

(e)   Parent conference. Following the staff meeting, the parents will be notified of the team's decision and recommendations. If a student is found eligible for OSB services following the least restrictive guidelines, this information is referred to the local education agency for their determination of the student's placement.

(f)   Readmission. Persons formerly served by OSB shall be eligible for readmission services on the same basis as an individual initially seeking services.

(g)   Placement IEP. If admission is granted, all reports and IDEA paperwork will be reviewed and the 30-day interim IEP meeting will take place. An initial IEP will be developed prior to continued placement at OSB if the IEP team, through development of individualized goals and objectives, determines that such placement is the least restrictive environment for the student. Placement and programming needs will be reviewed at least annually.

(h)   Special facts.

(1)   There is no tuition fee for OSB.

(2)   There is no room/board fee for OSB residential students.

(3)   There is no cost for OSB staff evaluations.

(4)   Transportation is provided by parents and/or LEA.

(5)   Parents/Guardians are responsible for the child's clothing, medical expenses, and personal hygiene items.

(6)   It is strongly recommended that parents maintain an adequate amount in the student's account to cover any incidental expenses.

(i)   Admission information source. For admission information, please contact: Compliance Officer, Oklahoma School for the Blind, 3300 Gibson Street, Muskogee, Oklahoma 74403, Telephone [phone].

[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4643, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2459, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1804, eff 7-1-03]