Admissions

Enrollment Policy and Procedure

I. Initial Inquiry

The Minnesota State Academies is one state agency that includes two schools: the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind and the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf. When the local education agency (LEA) or parent expresses interest in having a student attend the Academy, they contact the respective Academy for information.

(Minnesota State Academy for the Blind: 1-800-657-3634)
(Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf: 1-800-657-3996)

II.         Information Sharing

The respective Academy shares information and procedures for enrollment with the LEA, the student and his/her family. A packet of information is sent including this policy/procedure and the “Notice of Procedural Safeguards-Parental Rights for Special Education” brochure. Additional  information and contacts may include the following:

(A)       A visit to the Academy
(B)       Information and brochures

Academy web sites:

www.msab.state.mn.us
www.msad.state.mn.us

(C)       Academy staff may also visit the local school

III. Student Data Gathering   

In order for the Academy to learn about the prospective student, the following materials must be received prior to the IEP meeting considering placement at the academy:

From the Family

1. Prospective Student Information Form
   
2. Family Report Form
   
3. Permission Form
4. Release of Information Form
   
5. Application for Free and Reduced Lunch
6. Health Forms

From the School District

1. Student’s most recent IEP, IFSP or IIIP, including progress report
   
2. Student’s most recent 3 year evaluation
   
3. Audiograms and eye specialist exams
   
4. Health records
   
5. Evidence of Special Education Eligibility
6. Transcripts and report cards
   
7. Results of Minnesota Comprehensive Tests or Basic Standards Tests
8. Other information which will help the Academy become familiar with the student

IV.       IEP/IFSP Meeting

In order to place the student at the Academy, the IEP team shall invite a representative of the Academy to participate in an IEP meeting to discuss enrollment options. The IEP team determines appropriateness of placement at the Academy.

1. Parents are afforded due process rights as provided by the IDEA and state law, including the right to a due process hearing to resolve a placement dispute with either the LEA or the Academy.
2. At the meeting, or prior to it, the LEA must provide parents with a copy of Academies’ admission procedures.
3. If the IEP team determines that the Academy is an appropriate placement, the team will review and revise the IEP to reflect the change of placement.  The LEA will complete the necessary IEP paperwork, including the Prior Written Notice and send to parents and the Academy.
4. If the IEP team determines that the Academy is not an appropriate placement, the IEP team considers other options for meeting the student's educational needs and provides the Prior Written Notice to the parents.

 
V.  Completion of Entrance Materials

Once placement at the Academy is determined appropriate and an enrollment date is determined, additional paperwork specific to each school may be requested.
                       
Failure to complete and return the requested information may delay the date of enrollment.

VI.       Follow-Up IEP Meeting

The student (if appropriate), parent, LEA, or Academy may initiate an IEP meeting at any time, but must meet at least annually. At each IEP meeting, the team reviews goals, services and placement.

VII.      Discharge Procedures

Due process rights are maintained and followed for all students leaving the Academy. When a change in placement is being considered, the parents and LEA will be invited to an IEP/IFSP meeting scheduled by the Academy. Students may leave the Academy due to a variety of reasons such as:

A) Through the IEP process, the IEP team including the parent/guardian, LEA and the Academy determine that the Academy is no longer the most appropriate least restrictive program.
B) Student becomes a resident of another state.
C) Student is expelled, in accordance with Minnesota's Pupil Fair Dismissal Act.

Once the decision has been made for the student to exit the Academy, the Academy must provide a Prior Written Notice to the parents and the LEA as required by federal and state law, which outlines the proposed change of placement.

March 2011