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Educational Services

Mrs. Gwendolyn Etienne, Principal
Dr. Alberta Sims, Assistant Principal

Instructional Program, Summary of Services, Courses

Instructional Program 

The instructional program provides, in addition to standard academic subjects, instruction in physical education, adaptive physical education, daily living skills, pre-vocational and vocational training, and other specific areas directly related to the education of the visually impaired. The small average class size facilitates individualized attention for each student. 

The ability to travel safely and independently from one place to another is important to the social and emotional adjustment of the visually impaired person. The school provides training in Orientation and Mobility with a staff of mobility specialists who work with students on a one-on-one basis to achieve their highest degree of independence, using a long cane, a modified cane, residual vision, or sighted guide.   

Living independently poses many challenges for students who are visually impaired, as well as for the instructors who have the responsibility of preparing the students. One of the main challenges for the students is learning all they need to know without the benefit of the casual, incidental learning that comes from observing others in day-to-day undertakings. LSVI has a special “teaching laboratory” designed to implement an independent living delivery model which is based on Independent Living Via A Curriculum with Adaptations for Students with Visual Impairments developed and field tested nationally by the Texas School for the Blind.  In that curriculum the following, skills are: table etiquette, eating, organization, clothing care, money management, shopping and minor household maintenance.   

Students engage in community-based activities at least two times per week, either during the school day or during the after-school recreation program. These activities afford students the opportunity to generalize skills learned in the classroom and dormitory settings. 

Transition planning is paramount to helping students “bridge over” from LSVI to adult life. Upon leaving LSVI, some students enter college; others seek vocational training or postsecondary training, or immediately enter the labor market. Vocational counseling and evaluation are available through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to assist students in selecting a college, obtaining a job, or pursuing advanced vocational training.   

Vocationally oriented courses presently include keyboarding, gardening, and projects with the Blind and Physically Handicapped Section of the Louisiana State Library.                                                         

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Summary of Services Available to the School System   

  1. The delivery of direct educational services to visually impaired students through admission at LSVI by referral or placement (see Admission Criteria).
  2. Diagnostic appraisal of students suspected of having a visual deficit.
  3. Consultant services to teachers in local programs.
  4. Summer and/or short-term academic year programs for students who need intensive instruction in such areas as Braille reading and writing, living skills, orientation and mobility, and the use of assistive devices.
  5. Materials and programs for preschool visually impaired children.
  6. Remedial educational programs for students with severe and/or unique educational problems (within the scope of available services).
  7. An on-going in-service education program addressed to administration, curriculum development, new trends, techniques, and technological developments potentially impacting on visually impaired children and youth.
  8. Student transportation in order to enable all students to return home every weekend.
  9. Consultative services are given, as requested, to community agencies and groups interested in the education of visually impaired children and youth. Interpretation of programs for and needs of visually impaired students are given at every opportunity through talks and presentations to interested groups and individuals. Literature is distributed on a selective basis.
  10. Liaison services with the Louisiana Instructional Materials Center (LIMC) in order to assist in obtaining appropriate materials, books and/or equipment as needed.

Special education personnel providing direct services to visually impaired students at LSVI include:

  1. Supervisors for special education programs
  2. Teachers trained and certified in the education of the visually impaired (Regular Education and Alternate Assessment Students)
  3. Orientation and mobility instructors
  4. Daily living skills instructors
  5. Braille instructors
  6. Pre-vocational instructors

Special personnel providing additional support services include:

  1. Counselor, psychologist, assessment teacher, resource teachers,
  2. Low vision specialist   
  3. Speech pathologist, physical and occupational therapists
  4. Para-educators
  5. Transcribers (Braille, large print, and recorded media)
  6. Remedial teachers
  7. Music/piano teachers
  8. Physical Education/Adaptive Physical Education/Recreation/Leisure time specialists

  9. Pre-vocational and vocational counselor   

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Secondary Level Academic Courses Offered:

English (4)
Mathematics (4)
Social Studies/History (4)
Science (3)
Physical Education (2)
Computer Education
Music (3)                                             
Keyboarding (2)    

Adaptive Skills Courses Offered:

Orientation and Mobility
Home/Independent Living
Braille
Adapted Physical Education
Study Skills
Communication Skills
Low Vision Aids
Reading and Library
Personal and Social Adjustment

 

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Last revision: September 20, 2007