2001 Annual Report

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Mississippi School For The Deaf

MSD'S MISSION: To provide a comprehensive quality instructional, vocational and residential program coordinated with a system of support services assuring and enabling deaf and hard of hearing students of Mississippi an equal and accessible opportunity to achieve their maximum potentials to become successful independent and productive citizens

MSD's program provides a bilingual/multicultural environment whereby the student's social, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development can be fostered.
 

Organizational Structure	Staff	Types of Programs/Services	Facilities
Facilities Staff	Condition of Facilities	Long Range Plans

Students from birth to twenty-one have the opportunity to receive services offered by the Mississippi School for the Deaf (MSD).

Students from birth through three years of age are provided services in their homes by the SKI*HI program. There are 21 students in this program.

The Preschool Kindergarten Program provides students from four through five years of age educational services. This program consists of two Level 1 sections. There are 8 students in this program, 4 are day students and 4 are residential students.

The Elementary School Program provides students from six through thirteen years of age educational services. This program consists of two levels (11 classes). There are 55 students in this program. The elementary school provides services to 10 day students and 45 residential students. Placement of students within the academic program depends on communication and academic ability, not age. Therefore the transition ages within the academic and residence programs are not the same for all students.

Students from thirteen through twenty-one are provided services by the Junior High School. and High School Programs. These Programs consist of grades seven (Level IV) through twelve (Level VI) and provide services for 48 junior high and 31 senior high students.

There are 21 day students and 58 dormitory students in junior and senior high school. Students are able to pursue academic (diploma and certificate) and vocational programs. Vocational students receive a diploma in the chosen area upon completion of requirements. Academic students receive a diploma upon completion of Carnegie Units. Certificate students receive an IEP Certificate of Completion. MSD educational staff is certified staff. Course offerings follow State Department of Education guidelines. The presentation level of subject matter is based on the students' Individual Educational Program (I.E.P.) level of performance. Vocational programs are available to students in grades ten (Level V and VI), eleven (Level V and VI), and twelve (Level V and VI), and consist of Graphic Arts, Food Services, Building and Grounds Maintenance/Horticulture, and Business and Office Practices. There are 29 students in the vocational program. MSD also offers a Transitional Program. This program is funded partly with Vocational Rehabilitation monies. Driver's Education is provided at the high school level.

A State-testing program is followed, coordinated by the Academic Guidance Counselor, which provides information concerning student's academic ability in comparison with hearing impaired and non hearing impaired students.

Extracurricular activities are provided to give students the opportunity to participate in various clubs and student organizations.

The Athletic Program is based on the requirement of the Mississippi High School Activities Association. Football, basketball. track, cheerleading and volleyball are offered to the high school students. Junior High and PeeWee training programs for basketball, football and cheerleading are also offered.

The Residence Program provides development of study skills, sets study hours, development of social skills, and development of communication skills (most students come from homes where family members have little or no formal signing skills). A student Work Experience Program is also provided which gives students the opportunity to work on campus. The student receives compensation for the work and gets a better insight into the world of work.

The Residence and Academic Programs use the Support Services Program. This program provides assessment, speech, audiology, social welfare, counseling services, interpreting and other related services.

Professional Development Programs are administered according to the MDE guidelines. These programs provide training in the areas of curriculum development, student/classroom management and other areas as indicated by a staff needs assessment.

Related services such as transportation, medical, maintenance, and food service are provided by Combined Services. Financial operations are under the direction of MDE.

Innovative Programs are being implemented with special emphasis placed on communication, reading and language arts. Deaf individuals must be able to read due to the fact that 90% of deaf outside a deaf environment receive information through reading. MSD is providing new technology and resources such as software programs developed with the use of a laser disc that signs vocabulary words and literary stories.

Every academic classroom has an Apple computer system, which serves as a resource tool for the teacher. A computer lab has been set up in the Library/Media Center for the use of classroom reinforcement for the students. MSD has also implemented a new reading program, which will increase the reading level of students. This program features four components, which aids the students' total language development. This program includes American Sign Language Development, Adapted Dolch List, M.S.S. Reading Series with a "Blocking Process", and the North Hampton Charts (Condensed). This program started as a pilot study at MSD with the results being impressive. Students in the pilot study improved their reading levels by 2 or 3 grade levels in a twelve-week period.

The Mississippi School for the Deaf is addressing the Curriculum Frameworks dispensed by MDE. The Frameworks drive the instruction in all of the discipline areas here at MSD. Some of the objectives, teaching strategies, and assessment methods found in each of the frameworks have been modified. The modifications were done to better instruct our deaf students. However, the competencies found in each discipline area were not modified and are addressed fully.
 

Bailey Hall Constructed to house the administration offices, the cafeteria and academic programs for Level Ill (grade 6), Level IV (grades 7, 8, 9), Level V (grades 10,11,12) and Level 6 (ages 20, 21). Robert's Gymnasium is connected to this two-story complex. Other programs in this building include the Home Economic training area and the Library and Media areas. Building renovation began January 2000.

Primary Building # 12 Constructed to accommodate the academic programs of K-6, the

Administrative Offices, Speech Department, Audiologist and SKI*HI program with Media and Library areas.

Dorm A Constructed to house young female students, ages five to twelve. Fully equipped facility with living quarters and activity area.

Dorm B Constructed to house young male students ages three through six and older female students age ten through twelve in separate wings.

Dorm C Constructed to house young male students, ages seven through ten and ages ten through twelve are in separate wings.

Dobyns Hall This building is to be the infirmary and residence education office area for MSD/MSB beginning January 2001.

Saunders Hall The home for older boys ages thirteen through twenty-one. Two-story complex fully equipped with living quarters and activity areas.

Recreation Buildings Buildings modified from original construction to accommodate recreation program at MSD. This area is equipped with snack bar, sound system and table games. Activity areas offer viewing of television programs and dance area.

Superintendent's Residence with Laundry and Garage Built to accommodate the Superintendent and his/her family while presiding over the operation of the Mississippi School for the Deaf.

Vocational Buildings/V.R. Annex The present Vocational Building/V.R. Annex will be used as a storage facility until the completion of the renovation of the new school building for MSD effective January 2000.

Vocational Complex This new complex is a shared facility that contains areas for offices and instructional space for the vocational trade areas of Graphic Arts, Building and Grounds Maintenance/Horticulture and Food Service. Also in this building is the offices for the Vocational Director and the Transition staff. The elementary art department is located here.

New Deaf Dorm The home for secondary level girls ages 15-21. The new complex was completed under Phase Two of CI project. Occupied in 1998.

*Renovation to Bailey Hall is expected to be completed by November/December 2000.

Programs located in this building have relocated to the former MSB Academic Complex.
 

Mississippi School for the Blind

• Boys' Dormitory - good condition: construction year 1979 renovated and is now occupied as Central Office for MD/MSB
• 5 new dormitories
• Program Building (academic and adjoining shop areas) - poor condition with cracks due to Yazoo clay - construction year 1949
• Girls' Dormitory - usable due to determination of damage to service lines. Damage caused by foundation shift

• Dormitories A, B, and C - fair condition, construction year, 1979
• Recreational Building - good condition, construction year, 1979
• Two portable units - very poor conditions
• Vocational Building/V.R. Annex - poor condition; new complex completed and occupied
• Program Buildings (academic and adjoining shop area) - poor condition, construction year 1949
• 1 new dormitory - construction year 1998
• Other Dormitory Buildings - poor condition, construction year 1949

• Cafeteria Building - new - construction year 1998
• Vocational Complex - new, construction year 1998
• Central Office Building - good condition, renovated 1998

 

A new facility program for the Mississippi Schools for the Blind and Deaf has been approved by the Mississippi legislature. Expectations are for MSB/MSD to become a model program for visually and hearing impaired students.

1. The Academic Program will be expanded. These expansions will occur through, but not limited to: SKI*HI (provisions/staff), Curriculum (integrated/continuous development), and Vocational programs (pre-vocational and "on-the-job" placement). Available resources and services located at MSD will be evaluated to determine how they can be made available to the entire state. MSD will become a major resource for services and/or staff development training needed by instructors of the hearing impaired and students throughout the state.

2. Due to the age and condition of the current facility, a new plant is under construction.

3. Assistance for special needs students will be addressed through the addition of multi-handicapped class; however, there is a growing need for more services for MHHI that will require new staff and funds. We also have association with Vocational Rehabilitation and other agencies that address job placement and /or independent living skills.

4. A continuous "Upgrade and Expansion' Program for staff growth and development has been implemented.

5. An evaluation process to assist in regulating all the components of the program will be established.