Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-04-03-.01

Current through June 26, 2024

Section 0520-04-03-.01 - STANDARDS OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION TO THE TENNESSEE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

(1) Students ages three (3) through twenty-one (21) who are residents of the state of Tennessee (Student) and who have a visual impairment, including either partial sight or blindness, even with correction, that adversely affects the student's educational performance shall be eligible for admission to the Tennessee School for the Blind.

(2) A student who meets one (1) or more of the following visual impairments shall be eligible for admission to the Tennessee School for the Blind:

(a) Visual acuity in the better eye or both with best possible correction:

1. Legal blindness - 20/200 or less at distance and/or near; or

2. Low vision - 20/70 or less at distance and/or near.

(b) Visual field restriction with both eyes:

1. Legal blindness - remaining visual field of 20 degrees or less;

2. Low vision - remaining visual field of 60 degrees or less; or

3. Medical and educational documentation of progressive loss of vision, which may in the future affect the student's ability to learn visually.

(c) Other visual impairment, not perceptual in nature, resulting from a medically documented condition. (For example, but not limited to cortical visual impairment)

(3) Students who have disabilities in addition to visual impairment shall be eligible for admission to the Tennessee School for the Blind.

(4) The Director of Schools for the Tennessee School for the Blind shall admit students who meet the eligibility criteria, provided:

(a) The student has been evaluated and referred by his or her Individual Education Program (IEP) team, that includes a representative from the Tennessee School for the Blind, upon the IEP team's determination that the Tennessee School for the Blind will provide the student a free appropriate public education in the student's least restrictive environment;

(b) A complete ophthalmological report for the student has been submitted; and

(c) The student meets the criteria in Tennessee School for the Blind Policy 6.2030, School Admissions and Enrollment.

(5) The student's district of origin and the Tennessee School for the Blind shall annually sign a placement agreement outlining the responsibilities of the district of origin and the responsibilities of Tennessee School for the Blind regarding the student's free and appropriate public education and services provided pursuant to the student's IEP.

(6) Student admittance to the Tennessee School for the Blind residential program shall be based on the school's Policy 3.7000, Residential Program.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-04-03-.01

Original rule filed August 26, 1986; effective November 29, 1986. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992. Amendments filed April 4, 2018; effective July 3, 2018. Amendments filed April 7, 2021; effective 7/6/2021.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 49-10-701, 49-10-801, and 49-50-1001, et seq.