Mississippi Department of Education     1999 Annual Report
Mississippi School for the Deaf
Organizational Structure Facilities
Staff Long Range Plans
Types of Programs/Services Bureau of Combined Services

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

Administration
Superintendent 1
Office Staff 1
Outreach Coordinator 1
Communications Specialist 1
Instructional Services
Principals 2
Office Staff 3
Elementary Department
Preschool Teachers 3
Classroom Teachers 14
Substitute Teachers 4
Teacher Assistants 4
REAA's 2
Secondary Department
Junior High Classroom Teachers 7
High School Classroom Teachers 5
Vocational Teachers (Skill) 5
Vocational Coordinator 1
Transition Staff 3
Media Library Staff 2
Academic Counselor 1
Curriculum Coordinator 1
Substitute Teachers 2
Alternative Learning Center 2
Teacher Assistants 1
Residence Services
Director  1
Office Staff 1
Unit Directors 3
Residence Parents 33
Security (Night) 7
GSE 1
Support Services
Director 1
Office Staff 1
Staff 8
Ski*Hi
Coordinator 1
Teacher 1

Types of Programs/Services

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 39 students in this program.

Students from four through five years of age are provided services by the Preschool Kindergarten Program. This program consists of three Level 1 sections. There are 21 students in this program, 11 are day students and 10 are residential students.

Students from six through thirteen years of age are provided services by the Elementary School Program. This program consists of two levels (ten classes). There are 57 students in this program. The elementary school provides services to 10 day students and 47 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 36 junior high and 33 senior high students.

There are 7 day students and 26 dormitory students in the high school. These 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 are 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 24 students in the vocational program. MSD also offers a Transitional Program. This program is funded partly with Vocational Rehabilitation monies. Driver 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 Pee Wee training programs for basketball, football and cheerleading are also offered.

The Residence Program provides development of study skills, social skills, communication skills and sets study hours (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. Ninety percent of deaf individuals 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 designed to increase the reading level of students. This program features four components which 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 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.

MSD is currently revising the secondary school curriculum in the area of reading and language arts with the assistance of MDE. The revision of the elementary curriculum in the area of reading and language arts, science and social studies has been completed.
 
 

Facilities

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 Vocational Business and Office Practices skill area, the Home Economic Training area, the Library and Media areas.

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, ages 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.

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

Dobyns 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. The warehouse and shipping/receiving area are also located in this structure.

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.

Cabaniss Hall, Burt Hall and other on-site structures are reported as Combined Services.

Vocational Buildings/V.R. Annex. The present Vocational Building/V.R. Annex is a two story building that contains areas for offices and instructional space for the Vocational trade areas of Graphic Arts and Buildings and Grounds Maintenance/Horticulture. Also, in this complex is the Vocational Curriculum Coordinator's office and the Vocational Evaluation Unit. Scheduled to be phased out with the completion of the new Vocational Complex in January, 1999.

Vocational Food Service Area. A portable building that houses the Vocational Food Service area. Originally the Recreation Center. Scheduled to be phased out with the completion of the new Vocational Complex in January, 1999.
 
 

Facilities Staff

Division Director 1
Secretary Principal 2
Maintenance 12
Health 7
Security 2
Transportation from existing staff

Conditions of Facilities

Mississippi School for the Blind

•Boys Dormitory - good condition: construction year, 1979; under renovation for use as Central Office for MSD/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

Mississippi School for the Deaf
•Dormitories A, B, and C - fair condition, construction year, 1979
•Recreational Building - good condition, construction year, 1979
•Two portable Units - very poor condition
•Vocational Building/V.R.Annex - poor condition; new complex under construction
•Program Buildings (academic and adjoining shop area) - poor condition, construction year, 1949
•Other Dormitories Building - poor condition, construction year, 1949
•Central Operations Building (finance, personnel, support services for MSD, a former dormitory)- fair condition, construction year, 1949

Long Range Plans

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

Long Range Plans

  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.


Bureau of Combined Services

Mississippi School for the Blind/Mississippi School for the Deaf

Section 43-5-1, Paragraph 2, of the 1990 Supplement, Mississippi Code reads as follows:
(2) The provision of this section shall not be construed to require any consolidation of combination of the Mississippi School for the Deaf and the Mississippi School for the Blind other than where economies can be realized through the common utilization of maintenance personnel and equipment, physical facilities, vehicles and administrative.

With this direction, the Bureau of Combined Services of the Mississippi Schools for the Blind and the Deaf is organized with the intent of purpose to support the superintendents and staff so that they can concentrate on the welfare and education of the students.
 
 

Organizational Structure


 
 


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