Brazoria - Fort Bend RDSPD
 

Overview

Regional Day School Programs for the Deaf (RDSPD) in Texas were instituted by the Texas Education Agency to provide quality services to all students in Texas who are deaf or hearing impaired. The Brazoria Fort Bend RDSPD is established as a shared service agreement between twelve (12) neighboring school districts within southwest Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties. The member school districts are: Alief, Angleton, Brazosport, Columbia-Brazoria, Damon, Danbury, Fort Bend, Kendleton, Lamar Consolidated, Needville, Stafford, and Sweeney. (See the listing of district phone numbers on the back of this brochure.) An Advisory Board, comprised of the member districts’ superintendents and special education directors, governs the RDSPD.

Referrals

Parents, private or public school personnel, or any other person involved in the care or education of a student may refer a student who is suspected of having an auditory impairment to the RDSPD. Referrals may be made in writing or by telephone to the Brazoria-Fort Bend RDSPD office or any special education department of one of the member school districts. The following documentation must be submitted for consideration of the eligibility of auditory impairment (All assessments must have been completed within the past three years.):
  • A report of aided and unaided audiological assessments by a licensed audiologist
  • A report of otological examination by a licensed Ear, Nose, and Throat physician
  • A report of communication assessment by a Speech- Language Pathologist or certified deaf educator
  • A Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) by a professional certified to administer each assessment
  • A Speech and Language assessment by a certified Speech/Language Pathologist

Eligibility, Admission, & Placement

Any student from age birth to 21 (inclusive) whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) live within the boundaries of one of the twelve (12) member districts could be eligible for membership in the Regional Day School Program. Eligibility (as defined by the Texas Education Agency) is based on the type and degree of a documented hearing loss as well as the subsequent linguistic impact and educational need. Only the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee can establish a student’s eligibility for services, appropriate instructional arrangement, setting, and placement. While placement to the RDSPD is made by the ARD committee, the location of its classes is determined by the RDSPD Advisory Board. Currently, the RDSPD classes are located in Fort Bend ISD and Brazosport ISD.

Communication Philosophy

The communication mode choice of the parent(s) of each student is honored and must be determined on an individual basis. Oral and Total Communication philosophies form the basis of the instructional programs of the Brazoria Fort Bend RDSPD. However, a full range of communication modes (i.e. oral, aural, signed English, cued speech, and total communication) will be considered when designing a student’s individual education plan.

Programs

The RDSPD provides instructional programs on our site campuses designed to meet the individual needs of all students at all ages and grade levels. Development of audition, speech, language, and communication skills are emphasized throughout the program.

Parent-Infant (0-2 years old)

The parent-infant program focuses on early intensive stimulation to facilitate the acquisition and development of early auditory, communication, language, speech, and cognitive skills. Services are provided in coordination with the local Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program. Parental involvement and training in the child’s home environment is the cornerstone of this program. Students must be registered at their home school to begin services.

PreSchool

The preschool program is designed to provide continued development of auditory, communication, language, speech, and cognitive skills. In addition, pre-academic skills (i.e. readiness skills to prepare for reading, math, and writing) are introduced. Development of self-help, motor, and socialization skills round out this interactive center-based program.

Elementary (Grades K-5)

The elementary program focuses on the expansion of academic skills along with continued development of auditory, communication, language, speech, and cognitive skills. This program is based in a stimulating and language rich environment. Students participate in general education classes (academic and/or non-academic) as determined by the ARD Committee.

Intermediate and Middle School (Grades 6-8)

In the intermediate and middle school program, the emphasis is to deepen academic skills and begin to explore elective courses. Students will also continue to refine auditory, communication, language, and speech skills. Students may participate in general education classes (academic or non-academic) as determined by the ARD Committee.

High School (Grades 9 - 12)

The emphasis in the high school program is to solidify academic skills and thoroughly investigate a wide-range of course selections required for credit in core academic, elective, and vocational areas. Auditory, communication, language, and speech skills are made stronger. The goal is for each student, upon graduation, to be adequately prepared for entry into post-secondary life in technical or vocational programs, junior colleges, universities, or immediate entry into the job market.

Continuum of Services

The Brazoria Fort Bend RDSPD, in collaboration with each member school district, offers a range of general and special education service alternatives and supplementary aids and services for students from 3-21 years of age. The services to be provided will be determined by the ARD committee. Some of the available options are:

Self Contained Services

Students (3-21 years) receive direct instruction by a teacher of the deaf for 50% or more of their school day as recommended by the ARD committee. Placement must be made to one of the RDSPD site campuses to access this intense instruction focused on the unique needs of the student who is deaf or hearing impaired. These students will be included in general education classes as recommended by the ARD committee.

Itinerant Services

Students (3-21 years) receive direct instruction by a teacher of the deaf for less than 50% of their school day as recommended by the ARD committee. A teacher of the deaf usually serves students on their home campus. Focus is placed on the development of audition, language, vocabulary, and/or communication skills.

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is provided for site students through the RDSPD as recommended by the ARD committee. Itinerant students are provided speech language therapy from their home district as recommended by the ARD Committee. Auditory, articulation, communication, and language skill development is emphasized. The ARD committee determines the amount of the speech service.

Related Services

Related services are determined by the ARD committee and are available to eligible students who are members of the RDSPD. These services may be direct or consultative in nature and may include the following:
  • adapted physical education
  • adapted technology
  • audiological services
  • counseling
  • interpreting (provided by the home school district for students based on their home campus)
  • occupational therapy
  • physical therapy
  • school health
  • transportation (provided by the home school district)

Staff

The staff of the Brazoria-Fort Bend RDSPD is under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, Fiscal Agent Special Education Director, site district Special Education Directors, and site campus Administrators. The staff includes: audiologist, educational diagnostician, speech/language pathologists, teachers of the deaf, sign language interpreter-aides, teacher-aides, and clerical personnel.

Member School Districts

For more information contact:
(281) 634-1397
Alief ISD (281) 498-8110
Angleton ISD (979) 849-8594
Brazosport ISD (979) 265-6181
Columbia-Brazoria ISD (979) 345-5147
Damon ISD (979) 742-3457
Danbury ISD (979) 922-1218
Fort Bend ISD (281) 634-1000
Kendleton ISD (979) 532-2855
Lamar CISD (281) 341-3100
Needville ISD (979) 793-4308
Stafford MSD (281) 261-9200
Sweeny ISD (979) 491-8000

COMMUNICATION TIPS

  1. Preferential seating toward the front of the classroom is necessary for optimal reception.
  2. Remain within 3-10 feet of the student while speaking.
  3. Be fairly still when you speak.
  4. Face the child when you speak.
  5. Speak in a careful, yet natural manner. Avoid exaggerated lip movements.
  6. Avoid obstructing the view of the speaker’s mouth with hands, hair, gum, etc.
  7. Light should be shining in your face, not the child’s eyes. Avoid standing in front of the window while speaking.
  8. Rephrase rather than repeat a message.
  9. Establish a signal to notify the student when bells ring or announcements are made.
  10. Create an accepting atmosphere.


BRAZORIA-FORT BEND
REGIONAL DAY SCHOOL
PROGRAM FOR THE DEAF
Fiscal Agent District:
Fort Bend ISD
16431 Lexington Boulevard
Sugar Land, Texas 77479
Phone: (281) 634-1398 Voice or TDD
Fax: (281) 634-1150


Fort Bend Independent School District
16431 Lexington Blvd
Sugar Land, Texas 77479
281-634-1000