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Iowa School for the Deaf

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Iowa School for the Deaf is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Preschool students may enroll at 18 months to aid language development. The elementary school consists of kindergarten through fourth grades. The middle school contains fifth through eighth grades. The high school includes ninth through twelfth grades. The school is accredited by the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and programs for the Deaf. It also holds accreditation from the North Central Association. Its enrollment averages 110 local and boarding students from across the state of Iowa and Nebraska. Each year, ISD's itinerant faculty also provide supplemental education to several dozen students who are deaf or hard of hearing, but do not attend Iowa School for the Deaf. No tuition, room or board is charged. Most of Iowa School for the Deaf's appropriations are provided through state taxes. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa governs the school. [1]

History

Founders of Iowa School for the Deaf were Edmund Booth (1810–1905) and William E. Ijams (1830–1893). In 1854 Ijams opened a private school for the deaf in Iowa City. Following political activity by both men, a public institution was established on January 24, 1855 with the passage of Senate File No. 51. It was known as the Iowa Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. Twenty-one students, ranging in age from 12 to 28 years old were the first pupils. Due to lack of space, the school relocated to Council Bluffs in 1870. Council Bluffs was chosen because a large tract of land was obtained at a discounted price. The city had been declared the eastern terminus for the country's railroad system by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and it was thought the railroad hub would provide accessible transportation for students across the state.[2] The name '"Iowa School for the Deaf'" was adopted in 1892.[3]

Dr. J. Schuyler Long, an ISD graduate and teacher, published the first sign language dictionary in 1909.[4]

Admission

Children who are at least 18 months old may enroll at Iowa School for the Deaf. ISD is a referral-based school. Families, school districts and area education agencies are involved in the decision to educate a deaf or hard-of-hearing child at Iowa School for the deaf.

School program

Preschool student enrollment begins at 18 months to aid in language development. The elementary school consists of kindergarten through fourth grades. The middle school contains fifth through eighth grades. The high school includes ninth through twelfth grades. The school is accredited by the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and programs for the Deaf. It also holds accreditation from the North Central Association. Enrollment averages 110 on-site and boarding students from across the state of Iowa and Nebraska.

Graduation

Students earn and are awarded diplomas by the Iowa Board of Education. Graduates meet the same academic requirements as hearing peers. Most students meet the requirements by the end of their senior year. In some circumstances, students may attend ISD until reaching 21 years of age. After graduation, most students pursue competitive work or post-secondary education at a variety of local, state and national colleges and universities.

Transition

A program providing support to students who complete graduate requirements is offered. Individuals enrolled into the 4PLUS program pursue college, work or both options. Students may take up to 12 credits per semester. 4PLUS students may work up to 30 hours weekly. There is no charge for the services; one-on-one tutoring and employment assistance, life skill instruction, room, board and transportation are provided without charge. Local school districts initially pay for tuition then are reimbursed. Students responsible for purchasing college textbooks. Iowa's deaf and hard-of-hearing students from mainstreamed schools are also accepted into 4PLUS.

References

  1. ^ http://www.regents.iowa.gov/FAQ/faq.html
  2. ^ http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iapottaw/cnclblfs.htm
  3. ^ http://www.iadeaf.k12.ia.us/
  4. ^ http://archives.gallaudet.edu/ac/smss/mss19s.html


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