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Admission Criteria And Process

Who Is Eligible To Attend OSD?

Any child who is eligible for special education in Oregon due to being deaf or hard of hearing (see Oregon Administrative Rule 581-016-0520 for specific criteria) is potentially eligible to receive services at OSD. It is a common misunderstanding that a child must be profoundly deaf in order to attend OSD. OSD has many students who are hard of hearing.

What Ages Of Children Does OSD Serve?

OSD serves children kindergarten through age 21. The elementary department is kindergarten through 5th grade. The middle school is 6th through 8th grade. The high school is 9th through 12th grade. The Adult Transition Program serves students who have graduated from high school with a modified diploma and who still have needs in the transition and independent living areas, as identified by their IEP team.

What Is The Cost For A Child To Attend OSD?

OSD is one of the free public school placement options for deaf or hard of hearing children in Oregon. There is no cost to families for a child to attend.

What If A Child Lives Too Far To Attend School On A Daily Basis?

OSD has residence halls that are staffed by qualified, caring, highly skilled adults. Residential students come to OSD Sunday evenings and return home after school Friday afternoon.

Is There A Cost If The Child Stays In The Residence Halls During The Week?

No, this is part of the placement and there is no cost to families.

Who Pays For Children To Be Transported From Home To School And Back Each Week?

The child's local school district is responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of transportation from home to OSD and back home again weekly. The local school district pays for this service. There is no cost to families for transportation.

What Is The Process For Placing A Child At OSD?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that at the end of each child's annual IEP meeting, the IEP team consider the placement options available to the child and make a decision as to the appropriate place for the child to receive services. OSD is one of the placement options that is available to all deaf or hard of hearing children in Oregon. When discussing the options, the law directs teams to consider the benefits or concerns related to each of the placement options, and then make the decision that is best for the student. When the team believes OSD may be the appropriate option, or if the team would like more information about the programs and services offered in order to better consider OSD as a placement option, the local school district representative will contact OSD. The supervisor from the appropriate department (Elementary, Middle School or High School), will go to a follow-up meeting with the local IEP team. At the meeting, the student's needs will be reviewed and the team will consider the extent to which the needs can be met within the local district with support from the Regional Program, and at OSD. The team then makes a placement decision.

Once A Child Goes To OSD, Does He Stay There The Rest Of His School Years?

The placement decision for a student is made each year at the end of the annual IEP meeting. The decision is only valid for the duration of that IEP, which cannot exceed one year.

What Is The Responsibility Of The Local School District?

When a child is placed at OSD, the local school district still retains responsibility for him or her. The local district representative continues to participate in all IEP meetings and any other significant activities or decisions relating to the child.

Who Is The Contact Person For Discussing Placement At OSD?

Mr. Matthew Boyd, Principal, at 503-400-6157 or Email Matthew Boyd

Student Records

In accordance with federal guidelines, the following procedures concerning student records are in effect at OSD:

  1. A parent or student who is 18 years or older may inspect any student record upon request.
  2. Should a parent wish to challenge the accuracy of any records, he/she will contact the administration to review and discuss how to amend them.
  3. The following information will be considered directory information and will be available for release by OSD:  student’s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and athletics, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, photographs, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended by the student.  Please notify OSD administration in writing if you do not want the above information published.

For more information regarding Student Records, contact:

Ms. Kaelyn Cartwright, at 503-967-4524 or Email Kaelyn Cartwright