Mississippi School for the Deaf (MSD)
 

I. Types of Programs/Services
Total enrollment	145
SKI*HI program	*29 students. *Students from birth through three years of age are provided services in their homes.
Preschool kindergarten program	*10 students. *Services for students from four through five years of age; consists of three sections (Level I). There are 4 day students and 6 residential students.
Elementary school program	*56 students. *Services for students from six through thirteen years of age; consists of 11 classes (Levels II and III). *The elementary school provides services to 14 day students and  42 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.
Junior high school and high school programs	*41 junior high and 38 senior high students. *Services for students from thirteen through twenty-one; consists of grades seven through twelve (Levels IV - VI).
Number students served in junior and senior high school programs: Day Students Residential Students	14 65
Vocational programs for students in grades ten (Levels V and VI), eleven (Levels V and VI), and twelve (Levels V and VI)	*28 students enrolled. *Graphic Arts, Food Services, Building and Grounds Maintenance/Horticulture, and Business and Office Practices. *Driver's Education is provided at the high school level.
Diploma/Certificate awarded	*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.
Staff	State Certified.
Regular course offerings	Aligned with MDE guidelines.
Statewide assessments	MDE state-testing program is followed.
Revision of curriculum	MSD is currently revising its secondary school curriculum in the areas of reading and language arts with the assistance of MDE. The elementary curriculum is in place based on the Mississippi Department of Education's "Mandated Competencies."
Athletic program	*Based on the requirement of the Mississippi High School Activities Association.  *Football, basketball, track, cheerleading, and volleyball are offered to high school students. *Junior high and peewee training programs for basketball, football and cheerleading are also offered.
II. Other Programs
Residence Education Program	Provides development of study skills (including set 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).
Student work experience program	Gives students the opportunity to work on campus. The student receives compensation and gets a better insight into the world of work.
Support services program	Provides assessment, speech, audiology, social welfare, counseling, interpreting and other related services.
Professional development programs	Provide training in the areas of curriculum development, student/classroom management and other areas as indicated by a staff needs assessment; administered according to the MDE guidelines.
Related services	Services such as transportation, medical, maintenance, and food service are provided by Combined Services. Financial operations are under the direction of MDE.
Innovative programs:	*Programs being implemented with special emphasis placed on communication, reading and language arts. Deaf individuals must be able to read since 90% of deaf individuals outside a deaf environment receive information through reading. MSD is providing new technology and resources such as computer software using 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 to reinforce classroom learning. *MSD has also implemented a new reading program to increase the reading levels of students. This program features four components that aid 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 and the results were impressive. Students in the pilot study improved their reading by 2 or 3 grade levels in a twelve-week period.
III. MSD Long Range Plans:
*A new facility program for the Mississippi Schools for the Blind and Deaf was approved by the Mississippi legislature.  *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). *Due to the age and condition of the current MSD facility, a new plant is under construction.  *Assistance for special needs students will be addressed through the addition of a multi-handicapped class; however, there is a growing need for more services for MH/HI that will require new staff and funds. MSD has an association with Vocational Rehabilitation and other agencies that addresses job placement and independent living skills. *A continuous "Upgrade and Expansion" Program for staff growth and development has been implemented. *An evaluation process will be established to assist in regulating all the components of the program.