The school name and the front of Severne Hall, main entrance

    Providing a Quality Education for Children with Visual Impairments and Additional Disabilities

Admissions

Application Process

PHC-10 Application :: How to Apply :: Student Evaluation :: Approval Process ::Criteria for Admittance

NYSSB Application (PHC-10):

To request an application, please contact:

Laraine Caton, Intake Coordinator

Email: lcaton@mail.nysed.gov

Toll free: 1-877-NYSSFTB  (1-877-697-7382), ex. 280

How to Apply

  1. A parent, legal guardian or Chairperson on Special Education completes the application (PHC-10) and is signed by a parent or legal guardian before it is submitted.
  2. Obtain evidence of blindness for the child.
  3. Send the PHC-10 and evidence of blindness to:

Monica Short, Regional Associate
NYS Educ. Dept., Room 1623,
1 Commerce Plaza, Albany, NY 12234
(518) 473-1185

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Student Evaluation

  1. The Regional Associate sends a letter to the parent approving an evaluation at NYSSB.
  2. New York State School for the Blind (NYSSB) Intake Coordinator calls the parent to schedule an intake evaluation within one week of receipt of the PHC-10 and the letter of approval from the Regional Associate.
  3. A request for consent for NYSSB to conduct evaluations, a request for release of information and an explanation of due process procedures sent to parent, with a a copy to the school district of residence.
  4. NYSSB requests education records from the school district of residence.
  5. Request for Consent to Release Information, perform specific evaluations, etc., sent to parents and the school district of residence.
  6. Educational Evaluator conducts on-site visit to child's current education placement.
  7. Parents and child participate in an intake evaluation at the NYSSB.   A parent apartment room is available to the family upon request.
  8. A Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting is scheduled and held to discuss the results of the evaluation and to determine the appropriate, least restrictive environment for the child's education.

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Approval Process

  1. Summary of the evaluations and recommendations from the MDT are forwarded to the NYSSB superintendent for consideration. If the superintendent agrees with the MDT recommendation, a letter, along with the evaluations and recommendations, is forwarded to the parent, the school district, and Regional Associate.
  2. If the MDT or the superintendent does not recommend appointment of the child at NYSSB, the parent may appeal through procedural due process.
  3. The Regional Associate reviews the evaluations and the recommendations and approves/disapproves the appointment to NYSSB.  If the Regional Associate agrees that NYSSB can provide an appropriate program and is the least restrictive environment for the child, a letter approving the appointment of the child to NYSSB is sent to the parent and the school district.  If the Regional Associate disagrees with the recommendation for appointment, the parent may appeal through procedural due process.

For additional sources of Information, go to:

  1. Criteria for Admittance to NYSSB

  2. Other Frequently used NYSED Application