Steps to Admission to TSBVI

Comprehensive Programs (Regular School Year)

1. TSBVI serves students who are residents of Texas.
2. Students must have been determined by their local school districts to be eligible for educational services as students with a visual impairment or deafblindness.
3. Referrals for consideration for admission must be originated by the student's local school district in collaboration with the student’s parent. TSBVI cannot accept direct parent referrals.
4. The school is intended to serve students who require specialized or intensive educational or related services related to the visual impairment. The school is not intended to serve:
   • students whose needs are appropriately addressed in a home or hospital setting or in a residential treatment facility; or
   • students whose primary, ongoing needs are related to a severe or profound emotional, behavioral, or cognitive deficit. (TEC §30.021)
5. The first point of contact at TSBVI is the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 512-206-9182.
6. The Admissions Coordinator will explain the admissions process to the representative of the local school district.
7. Based upon the information provided by the local school district representative, the Admissions Coordinator will send application materials to the local school district if the student meets the requirements for referral.
8. At any point in the referral process, parents and local school district representatives are welcome to tour the campus and meet staff members.
9. The local school district will hold an ARD Committee Meeting to request admission to TSBVI.
10. The local school district sends the complete ARD Committee document and the application materials to the Admissions Coordinator.
11. The Admissions Coordinator will schedule the student for consideration by the TSBVI Referral Committee. These meetings are held at least one time per month. The admissions materials must be received by TSBVI at least one week prior to the Referral Committee meeting. The Committee determines whether the student is admitted, not admitted or whether additional information is needed. An on-site visit to the local school district may be requested to obtain further information.
12. The Admissions Coordinator will notify the local school district of the decision of the Referral Committee.
13. If the local school district is not satisfied with the recommendation of the Referral Committee, it may appeal the decision to the Director of School and Student Services.
14. If the student is admitted, the Principal and program supervisors determine the program placement and tentative enrollment date for the student.
15. The Admissions Coordinator arranges the student's enrollment date with the local school district and parents.
16. Upon the student's arrival, an Admissions Staffing Meeting will be held. The student, parents, local school district staff members and TSBVI staff members will meet, preferably in person, to establish a shared vision of the program for the newly admitted student.
17. Within five school days, TSBVI and the local school district will hold a joint ARD Committee Meeting to determine the student's placement and develop the IEP including the plan for return of the student to the local school district.
18. TSBVI, the local school district and the parents will review the student's educational placement every year at the annual ARD Committee Meeting. When the reasons for the initial referral have been met, then it is time to consider having the student return to the local school district.