Admissions Process

The Missouri School for the Blind (MSB) was established by state law to serve those students referred to the State Board of Education by local school districts who may require such services to receive a free appropriate public education. If the evaluation information and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) compiled by the local district supports separate school placement as the student’s least restrictive educational environment, the local education agency may seek determination of student eligibility services.

Please refer to the Missouri State Plan for Special Education to see if your student qualifies for services: Information on eligibility for special education services

 

The following procedures have been established to determine students' eligibility for admission once referred by the Local Educational Agency to Missouri School for the Blind:

  1. Referrals to Missouri School for the Blind are initiated by the IEP team.  IEP teams determine the need for intensive services based on many criteria, including but not limited to:  1)  lack of progress on IEP goals, or 2)  the need for emphasis on the Expanded Core Curriculum for the blind/visually impaired.
    • Teams considering referral to MSB are encouraged to consider arranging a tour for both school district personnel (as appropriate) and families.
    • IEP teams may invite a representative from MSB to attend the prospective applicants IEP.  MSB will make every effort to send a representative when asked to attend.
  2. Once the IEP team has determined to make a referral to MSB the local education agency (LEA) will then send a letter of referral and the following documents to MSB's Superintendent:
    • The applicants most recent Individual Education Plan (IEP) which provides the information contained in the State Plan;
    • Students current three year re-evaluation;
    • A current optometric and/or ophthalmological report (ophthalmological report preferred ;)
    • An up-to-date immunization records
    • High School Transcripts (if applicable).  Note:  Upon enrollment Transcripts will be required if they are not part of the Referral Package
    • A member of the Admissions Team will contact the LEA representative if additional information is needed. 
  3. Upon receipt of the Referral Package, MSB’s Admission Team will review the Referral Package to ensure the student qualifies for services.
MSB’s Superintendent will notify the district regarding the Admission Team's recommendation for eligibility for admission to MSB.