Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 612 - State Department of Rehabilitation Services › Chapter 20 - Special Schools › Subchapter 3 - General Operating Procedures for the Schools › Part 1 - GENERAL EDUCATIONAL POLICIES › Section 612:20-3-6 - Admission to OSB and OSD

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
Eligibility to OSB.
Title 70 O.S. Supp.1978, Sec.
				  1733
				  states: "All persons, residing in the State of Oklahoma, between the ages of
				  six and twenty-one years, whose vision is so defective as to prevent them
				  attending the public schools... are eligible, provided persons may be continued
				  in said school after passing the age of 21, or persons under six and over 21,
				  may be admitted as pupils in said school at the discretion of the
				  superintendent and faculty."
(b)
Eligibility to OSD.
Title 70 O.S. Supp.1978, Sec.
				  1733
				  states: "All deaf residents of this State, and those deaf and mute to such an
				  extent that they cannot acquire an education in the common schools of the
				  State, of suitable age and capacity... shall be entitled to an education in the
				  school for the deaf, without charge." Title 70 O.S., Sec.
				  1734(1971)
				  states: "The purpose of said school shall be the physical, and moral and
				  intellectual culture and training of the deaf to the end that pupils may be
				  returned to society, capable of becoming self-sustaining and useful
				  citizens."
(c)
Authority for
				  admission and discharge.
Title 56 O.S. Sec.
				  321(1971)
				  provides for the transfer of the Schools for the Blind and the Deaf, and states
				  in part: "The Oklahoma Public Welfare Commission shall have the supervision,
				  management and control of the Oklahoma School for the Blind and the Oklahoma
				  School for the Deaf, and, in addition to the powers and duties now vested in
				  the State Board of Education as to each of such institutions, shall have
				  authority to adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the
				  government and operation of each institution, and for the admission and
				  discharge of pupils at each institution." Title 74 O.S. Sec. 1418(1993)
				  transferred the supervision, management, and control of the Oklahoma School for
				  the Blind and Oklahoma School for the Deaf to the newly created Department of
				  Rehabilitation Services.
(d)
Procedure for admission.
Application is made to the schools by the
				  parent or guardian of the child. Forms for this purpose may be obtained from
				  the schools. Prior to admission, an appointment will be made for the
				  prospective student to be assessed. Information from the assessment plus
				  previous school records will assist the Admission/Assessment Review Committee
				  in determining appropriate programming. Parents will be informed by the
				  superintendent of their child's acceptance or denial of admission. All new
				  students are accepted on a six week trial basis during which time an extended
				  evaluation is conducted.
(e)
Assessment and I.E.P. development.
No later than six weeks after
				  admission, the Admissions/Assessment Review Committee at each school makes an
				  assessment of the child to determine if continued enrollment of the child is
				  appropriate and in the child's best interest and develops a goal-oriented plan
				  for each child. Medical, social, educational, psychological, ophthalmological
				  or audiological needs and assessment of ability to benefit from the total
				  program of the school should be included in this assessment and plan.
				  Particular attention should be given to the child's potential to adjust in
				  group living situations. Observations of all personnel having contact with the
				  child should be considered in the evaluation process. Based upon the
				  assessment, the Evaluation Committee recommends to the superintendent whether
				  continued enrollment in the school seems appropriate. The Individuals with
				  Disabilities Education Act requires that an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
				  be developed for each child. The IEP will be developed and implemented for each
				  child at the Schools for the Blind and Deaf according to guidelines as
				  specified in
				  20 U.S.C.,
				  1400 - 1485 regulations. Students not
				  accepted for admission will be referred to the school district of residence,
				  and assistance provided in determining a more appropriate placement.
(f)
Appeal of denial of admission or
				  discharge.
If as a result of screening a child is denied admission or is
				  discharged as a result of no longer meeting visual or hearing eligibility
				  requirements or having attained the age of 21, the decision may be
				  administratively appealed. When a child is denied admission or is discharged, a
				  letter is sent from the superintendent to the parents/guardians advising them
				  of the denial/discharge, the specific eligibility factors not met by the child,
				  and of the right to appeal by written request to the Director within 30
				  days.
(g)
Suspension.
Should the superintendent approve, a student may be suspended for conduct
				  violating a specific rule, and previously identified and published as being of
				  a type for which suspension may be imposed.
(1)
Summary suspension and
				  appeal.
Summary suspension is defined as a suspension of ten days or
				  less. For infractions occurring in the academic area, the suspension could be
				  only from attending classes but not from the campus. Summary suspension is
				  imposed using the following process:
(A) An
				  oral or written report of the conduct and rule violated must be submitted to
				  the discipline committee;
(B) The
				  student is called before the committee, who gives the student oral or written
				  notice of the charge, basis for the charge, and proposed sanction (one to ten
				  days suspension);
(C) If the
				  student denies the charge at this discussion, he will be permitted to present
				  openly and fully his version of the facts;
(D) If the committee decides to suspend,
				  inform the student and invoke the penalty;
(E) A full report is then submitted to the
				  superintendent who has the authority to affirm, modify, or reverse the
				  decision;
(F) The superintendent
				  submits a report of the entire incident to the parents/guardian of the student
				  and to the Director, Department of Rehabilitation Services; and
(G) The student and/or his parents/guardian
				  may appeal the Superintendent's decision to the Director by letter. No hearing
				  is granted, but after full investigation, the Director may affirm, modify,
				  expunge the record, reverse, or order such action as is deemed necessary to
				  assure fairness.