Iowa Administrative Code › Agency 681 - Regents Board › Chapter 15 - Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School Organization and General Rules › Rule 681-15.1 - Organization

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 3, July 24, 2024
(1)
Statement of mission.
The mission of the Iowa Braille and
			 Sight Saving School (IBSSS) has two primary components: to provide direct
			 educational services to visually impaired children and youth of the state of
			 Iowa and to serve a leadership and resource role in statewide efforts to meet
			 the needs of the visually impaired. In fulfilling its stated mission, IBSSS
			 will coordinate its efforts with all appropriate state agencies, area education
			 agencies, and local education agencies. Such coordination will be accomplished
			 in the spirit of cooperation reflected in the agreements with these agencies.
Consistent with the various sections of the Iowa Code, the
				educational mission of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School is to provide
				an appropriate individual education program for visually impaired children and
				youth who require the comprehensive programs provided by the school.
The educational programs of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving
				School will be consistent with the philosophy, reflected in federal and state
				legislation, that handicapped and nonhandicapped children and youth be educated
				together to the greatest extent possible. Thus, IBSSS assumes responsibility
				for providing an education for the visually impaired, including those with
				additional handicaps, for whom the comprehensive educational programs of the
				school are most appropriate.
The educational programs of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving
				School are based on the premise that the school exists to serve its students by
				providing a learning environment which, to the greatest extent possible,
				maximizes each child's potential to become a contributing member of society by
				enhancing development of communication, knowledge, self-realization, human
				relationships, economic independence, and a sense of civic and social
				responsibility. The child-centered programs include learning activities and
				experiences that appropriately and specifically meet the needs of each
				child.
The scope of the educational program includes provisions for
				the visually impaired from infancy through secondary education. Program formats
				include full-time residential, day school, summer and other short-term
				residential programs to meet specific needs, and on- and off-campus individual
				assessment and evaluation services. For residential students, activities and
				experiences on a 24-hour basis, not restricted to the traditional academic day,
				are an integral part of the program.
The Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School also serves as a state
				resource and dissemination center for education of the visually impaired. In
				this role, the school has a central and vital mission in the statewide
				education of the visually impaired and provides a resource center for
				educators, related field professionals, parents, and all interested citizens.
				Such a role affords the opportunity for the community-at-large to draw upon the
				specialized program and services available at IBSSS.
The Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School will make its special
				resources available to regent universities, area education agencies, local
				education agencies, and other public and private agencies. Resource services
				would provide support in such activities as:
1. Assessment, counseling, and educational
			 planning for visually impaired children and youth;
2. Programs for development of specialized
			 skills;
3. Parent
			 education;
4. Instruction in
			 orientation and mobility;
5.
			 Research;
6. Preservice and
			 continuing education of teachers and related professionals;
7. Consultative services to other
			 professionals;
8. Curriculum
			 development and evaluation; and
9.
			 Development, use, and dissemination of instructional materials and technology.
Within the scope of the school's mission, future programs will
				be determined by the ongoing evaluation of existing programs and an analysis of
				developing needs. Programs will be added, curtailed, or eliminated based on
				assessment of need and the most effective use of resources. The school remains
				flexible so as to respond quickly and effectively to unmet needs of visually
				impaired children and youth of Iowa.