TENNESSEE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Admission procedures will begin when an official representative from the local education agency (LEA) and the parent(s)/guardian indicate an interest in having a student transfer to the TENNESSEE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.

2. The applicant must meet the Tennessee State Board of Education’s Definition and Eligibility Standards for legally blind students.

A) Definition

State Board of Education Rule 0520-1-9-.01 (15) (p) “Disabilities”

“Visual Impairment Including Blindness” means impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance.

B) Eligibility Standards

The child shall meet the definition of visual impairment and one or more of the following:

a.       Visual acuity in the better eye or both eyes with best possible correction of 20/200 or less at distance and/or near viewing;

b.       Visual field restriction with both eyes with remaining visual field of 20 degrees or less.   

3.      The Superintendent in consultation with the Admissions Committee of the TENNESSEE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND will make the final determination of eligibility for admission. A major consideration is whether or not the school has an educational program that meets the needs of the student challenged, primarily, by severe vision loss.  This determination might necessitate the applicant undergoing an educational, psycho­logical and/or ophthalmologic assessment by the staff of the TENNESSEE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.

4.  The superintendent will have the prerogative to admit children whose application is accompanied by an ophthalmologist’s statement that the prognosis is “poor” and the visual acuity is decreasing.  The visual findings of the ophthalmologist employed by the school will be final.

5.      Admission to TENNESSEE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND does not automatically admit a student as a residential student.  This is determined by age, proximity of legal residence to the school, and developmental level of care required by the student.

6.      The applicant must be between the ages of 3 and 21 years of age, and a copy of the applicant’s valid birth certificate must accompany this application.

7.      The applicant's parents or legal guardians must reside in the State of Tennessee.

Request Admission Packet and Information

Elaine Brown

Director of Outreach and Admissions

615-231-7336

elaine.brown@tnschoolfortheblind.org

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