Admission Process

Admissions Process for the California School for the Blind

The Admissions Office at the California School for the Blind (CSB) is available to assist districts and families move through the many steps of CSB's admission process. We are committed to keeping the process flowing smoothly from step to step and to minimizing unnecessary delays through ongoing communication with referring teams. Each step in CSB's admission process is explained below.

1. Referral Packet

If the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team determines that a referral to California School for the Blind (CSB) is appropriate, the first step is for a district representative to contact Carla Shah (cshah@csb-cde.ca.gov) to request a referral packet.

Once the referral packet is completed, including all required documents gathered, the district submits the completed referral packet to Carla Shah. Referral packets are reviewed upon receipt for completeness and any missing documents are requested before an application is considered complete.

Please note: Parents cannot request the packet themselves, referrals are required to come through the district. The parent application is available in Spanish by request.

2. Admissions Committee Review

CSB's Admissions Review Committee makes every effort to thoroughly review the content of completed referral packets within two weeks of receipt. The Admission Committee's referral packet review includes determining what additional information is needed to plan for an Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP) at CSB for each applicant.

The Admissions Committee recommends next steps in the admission process for each applicant, such as observing the applicant in his or her current educational program, requesting additional records, scheduling follow-up conversations with the district and/or family, or moving forward with offering an Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP) at CSB.

3. Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP) Offer

For every applicant whose district submits a completed referral packet, CSB will plan and offer an Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP) to determine if the applicant meets admission criteria. Consistent with other special education assessment timelines, the ASP lasts up to 60 days. The ASP offer may include temporary assignment to CSB, or the assessment may be conducted in the applicant's current placement. Temporary assignment to CSB for the duration of the ASP does not guarantee admission.

Please refer to our Admission Criteria page for detailed information about eligibility criteria to enroll at CSB.

4. Medical Clearance

Because CSB is a residential school, all students attending CSB, even commuters and students attending temporarily, must be medically cleared by our Student Health Services. Medical clearance at CSB requires an up-to-date physical, tuberculosis (TB) test, immunization record, information about any prescription medications, and doctor's orders for certain medical conditions. Medical clearance is necessary for all applicants offered a temporary assignment to CSB, and occurs before the Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP) at CSB begins.

5. Intake Meeting and Registration

For applicants offered an Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP) with temporary assignment at CSB, the ASP begins with an in-person intake meeting at CSB. During the intake meeting, the applicant and family members will meet the classroom teacher and other members of the applicant's assessment team. The assessment plan will be reviewed and presented to the holder of the applicant's educational rights (typically the parent) for signature. Important aspects of the assessment plan will include a commitment to follow the applicant's current, district Individualized Education Program (IEP) during the ASP, and any exceptions to this commitment. The applicant officially starts the ASP with temporary assignment to CSB on the day after the intake meeting.

The district and family can expect email communication with a scheduled date and time for the intake meeting. The date may be listed as tentative, pending medical clearance. Families can expect to receive registration forms with instructions to complete these forms electronically prior to the intake meeting.

6. Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP) and Weekly Progress Reports

Once the assessment plan is signed, the Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP) at CSB can begin. An assessment that takes place while an applicant is temporarily assigned to an educational program at CSB is an immersive experience for the applicant. The applicant participates fully in all activities and school events and is eligible to join sports teams and clubs. While the applicant is participating in the educational program at CSB, the assessment team will assess the applicant's present levels of functioning in the skill areas selected on the assessment plan.

The district and family can expect to receive progress reports as email attachments on a weekly basis during the ASP, beginning in the second week. Families can expect to hear from assessment team members with questions and requests to participate in the assessment. The assessment team welcomes any questions or concerns from the district or parents about the weekly reports or the assessment.

7. End of Assessment for Suitability of Placement (ASP) Meeting

Toward the end of the 60-day timeline, or sooner if warranted, the assessment team meets with the referring district and family to share the results of the Assessment of Suitability for Placement (ASP). When the ASP includes temporary assignment at CSB, the end of ASP meeting is an in-person meeting at CSB, attended by at least one parent or guardian. District representation at the end of ASP meeting is required. The referring district representative is welcome to attend the end of ASP meeting either in person or remotely.

The district and family can expect to receive email communication from Carla Shah to confirm a date, time, and location for the end of Assessment of Suitability of Placement (ASP) Meeting. The district and family can also expect copies of any available assessment reports, typically sent as email attachments, prior to the meeting.

Assessment results include the assessment team's determination regarding the applicant's eligibility to enroll at CSB.

• If the assessment team offers the applicant enrollment at CSB and the referring district and family accept the offer, a new Individual Education Program (IEP) is immediately written to reflect the new placement, goals, and services.
• If enrollment at CSB is not offered, the applicant's temporary assignment at CSB ends. The applicant returns home at the conclusion of the meeting and resumes attending the district program according to the current IEP.
• Note: California Education Code 56367(b) states that referrals for further assessment to the Schools for the Deaf and Blind shall not constitute a placement in the State Special Schools.
  

8. Enrollment at CSB

Once an applicant officially enrolls as a CSB student, the referring district retains responsibility for the student's placement.

The district and family can expect to be invited to review the student's goal progress, services, and placement at CSB on at least an annual basis.