Scope of Study
Approved April 18, 2000
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR BLIND
AND VISUALLY
IMPAIRED CHILDREN
Under state and federal law, blind and visually impaired children are entitled to special education services from birth through high school graduation or up to age 21. As part of their responsibility for providing special education to children with disabilities, local education agencies (LEAs) serve visually impaired children. The Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) also has a major role in identifying visually impaired children and providing technical assistance, consultation, financial subsidies, and, in some cases, direct instructional services for such children.
AREA OF FOCUS
The study will examine the system for providing educational services to blind and visually impaired children in Connecticut, focusing on issues related to resources, coordination, access, equity, and outcomes. The study will specifically determine whether the quality and efficiency of services would be improved by consolidation under the Board of Education and Services for the Blind or through other means.
AREAS OF ANALYSIS
· Examine roles and responsibilities of providers of educational services for blind and visually impaired children
· Examine resources for educational services including supply of qualified teachers
· Review policies and procedures for determining what and how services are provided
· Assess availability of services throughout the state
· Identify and evaluate alternative structures for providing services (e.g., those in other states, models, etc.)
· Examine and compare services provided by BESB and LEAs (e.g., in terms of per-pupil expenditures, teacher caseloads, types and hours of direct service, etc.)
· Assess service outcomes such as student literacy, customer satisfaction (students, parents, schools), etc.