To be considered for enrollment at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), Colorado students must meet the following guidelines:
Cognitive Criteria
Children shall possess a minimum cognitive functioning level to be considered eligible for enrollment. Cognitive abilities with comparable adaptive behavior skills as measured by no more than three standard deviations below the mean on an individually administered assessment as part of a multi-disciplinary team evaluation.
- Determination of cognitive functioning must be completed by a qualified school psychologist or other qualified professional with experience in the assessment of students who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired and cognitive functioning. Functioning level will be determined by formal standardized assessment, developmental checklist or other assessment determined appropriate for the level and disabilities of the student.
- Assessment of adaptive functioning must be completed by examiners who are qualified to conduct this assessment such as a school psychologist or a social worker.
Behavioral Criteria
The presence and severity of behavioral issues will be considered. Students ineligible due to not meeting behavioral criteria include, but are not limited to, those who demonstrate:
- Unpredictable assaultive behavior and/or a pattern of predictably assaultive behavior directed towards authority figures and/or peers
- Dangerousness to self (self-abusive behaviors) and/or others
- Mental disorders of severity which require close medical/psychiatric interventions or needs that must be addressed in a hospital setting or residential treatment facility.
- Enrollment of a student at CSDB, who poses a safety risk to self or others, will be denied unless an individualized safety plan can be reasonably implemented with
in existing CSDB resources, to effectively mitigate unsafe behaviors
Additional Grounds for Denial of Admission
The following shall constitute additional grounds for denial of admission to CSDB, upon review of the prospective student’s current IEP, educational records, and behavior history:
- Having been expelled from any school district during the preceding twelve months.
- Failure to comply with the immunization requirements of C.R.S. 25-4-901 et seq.;
- Behavior in another school district in the preceding twelve months that is detrimental to the welfare or safety of other pupils or of school personnel.
Determination of these behaviors will occur through a review of records, and interviews with parent/guardian, student and other pertinent professionals who are familiar with the child. If concerns are identified in this area, appropriate members of the assessment team will review the information to determine appropriateness of placement.
1:1 Support
The student must be able to function in an educational environment safely without the need for continuous adult supervision (1:1 aide for medical, physical, educational, or behavioral reasons).
CSDB may not accept a student for enrollment if CSDB resources cannot provide for adequate supervision, safety, and personal care for a student. If a student is denied admission due to the need for 1:1 support, CSDB may enter into an interagency agreement with the local school district whereby the district may provide additional resources to support the student’s educational placement at CSDB.
Age Criteria
All prospective new students must have a current IEP from their local district prior to enrolling at CSDB.
- Entrance into day preschool requires that the child be three years of age.
- Entrance into kindergarten requires that the child be five years of age on or before October 1.
- Entrance into the first grade requires that the child be six years of age on or before October 1.
- Under extenuating circumstances, the superintendent may make exceptions to the age requirements based upon the individual needs of the child.
Eligibility Following Graduation/GED Completion
Students who have met high school graduation requirements and have not received a high school diploma, or who have successfully passed the GED test may be eligible to enroll in CSDB’s transition program, as determined by the student’s IEP team. The superintendent shall make the final decision regarding enrollment of such students and the waiver of any other CSDB eligibility criteria.
Diagnostic Assessment Period
Prospective students may enroll in a 30-60 school day diagnostic placement period if CSDB does not have adequate documentation on whether CSDB is the least restrictive environment. Parents/guardians may also request a diagnostic period at CSDB. A diagnostic placement period can be scheduled to gain more information through formal assessments and observations. A CSDB staffing team will review the information and recommend the appropriate assessments to determine best placement options.
