Chapter 3325 | Schools - Deaf; Blind

Section 3325.01 | State board of education to supervise schools - appointment of superintendents.

• Effective: January 3, 1956
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 212 - 101st General Assembly

The state school for the deaf and the state school for the blind shall be under the control and supervision of the state board of education. On the recommendation of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education shall appoint a superintendent for the state school for the deaf and a superintendent for the state school for the blind, each of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the state board.

Section 3325.011 | Admission of pupils to state school for the deaf.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

Subject to the regulations adopted by the state board of education, the state school for the deaf shall be open to receive persons who are deaf, partially deaf, and both blind and deaf residents of this state, who, in the judgment of the superintendent of public instruction and the superintendent of the school for the deaf, due to such disability, cannot be educated in the public school system and are suitable persons to receive instructions according to the methods employed in such school. The superintendent of the school for the deaf may pay the expenses necessary for the instruction of children who are both blind and deaf, who are resident of this state, in any suitable institution.

Section 3325.02 | Admission of pupils to state school for the blind.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this chapter, "visual impairment" means blindness, partial blindness, deaf-blindness, or multiple disabilities if one of the disabilities is vision related.

(B) Subject to the regulations adopted by the state board of education, the state school for the blind shall be open to receive persons who are residents of this state, whose disabilities are visual impairments, and who, in the judgment of the superintendent of public instruction and the superintendent of the school for the blind, due to such disability, cannot be educated in the public school system and are suitable persons to receive instructions according to the methods employed in the school.

Section 3325.03 | Return of pupil to parents.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The superintendent of the state school for the deaf or the superintendent of the state school for the blind may return to its parents, guardian, or proper agency any pupil under his jurisdiction, who, in the opinion of such superintendent and the superintendent of public instruction, is not making sufficient progress in its school or industrial work to justify its continuance as a pupil in such school.

Section 3325.04 | Employment of teachers.

• Effective: August 29, 1991
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 143 - 119th General Assembly

The superintendent of the state school for the deaf and the superintendent of the state school for the blind, with the approval of the superintendent of public instruction, shall, for their respective schools and subject to the rules and regulations of the civil service, employ suitable teachers, nurses, and other help necessary to provide the proper instruction and care for the pupils under their jurisdiction.

No individual hired on or after the effective date of this amendment as a classroom teacher at the state school for the blind shall be permitted to retain employment as a teacher at the school unless prior to the date of such hiring, or within one year of that date, the individual completes at least two courses of instruction in braille at an institution of higher education or demonstrates equivalent competency in the use of braille to the satisfaction of the superintendent of the state school for the blind.

Section 3325.05 | Higher education for blind pupils - residence requirements.

• Effective: January 3, 1956
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 212 - 101st General Assembly

The state board of education may provide for the further and higher education of any blind pupils, who in its judgment are capable of receiving sufficient benefit to render them more efficient as citizens, by appointing readers for such persons to read from textbooks and pamphlets used in their studies while in attendance as regularly matriculated students in any college, university, or technical or professional school located in this state and authorized to grant degrees. Any fund appropriated for such purpose shall be distributed under the direct supervision of the state board of education. No person shall receive the benefit conferred by this section who has not had an actual residence in this state for at least one year.

Section 3325.06 | Preschool training of deaf or hard of hearing children and children who are visually impaired.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The state board of education shall institute and establish a program of education by the department of education to train parents of deaf or hard of hearing children of preschool age. The object and purpose of the educational program shall be to aid and assist the parents of deaf or hard of hearing children of preschool age in affording to the children the means of optimum communicational facilities.

(B) The state board of education shall institute and establish a program of education to train and assist parents of children of preschool age whose disabilities are visual impairments. The object and purpose of the educational program shall be to enable the parents of children of preschool age whose disabilities are visual impairments to provide their children with learning experiences that develop early literacy, communication, mobility, and daily living skills so the children can function independently in their living environments.

Section 3325.07 | Programs to enable deaf and hard of hearing children to construct pattern of communication.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 130th General Assembly

The state board of education in carrying out this section and division (A) of section 3325.06 of the Revised Code shall, insofar as practicable, plan, present, and carry into effect an educational program by means of any of the following methods of instruction:

(A) Classes for parents of deaf or hard of hearing children of preschool age;

(B) A nursery school where parent and child would enter the nursery school as a unit;

(C) Correspondence course;

(D) Personal consultations and interviews;

(E) Day-care or child development courses;

(F) Summer enrichment courses;

(G) By such other means or methods as the superintendent of the state school for the deaf deems advisable that would permit a deaf or hard of hearing child of preschool age to construct a pattern of communication at an early age.

The superintendent may allow children who are not deaf or hard of hearing to participate in the methods of instruction described in divisions (A) to (G) of this section as a means to assist deaf or hard of hearing children to construct a pattern of communication. The superintendent shall establish policies and procedures regarding the participation of children who are not deaf or hard of hearing.

The superintendent may establish reasonable fees for participation in the methods of instruction described in divisions (A) to (G) of this section to defray the costs of carrying them out. The superintendent shall determine the manner by which any such fees shall be collected. All fees shall be deposited in the even start fees and gifts fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. The money in the fund shall be used to implement this section.

Section 3325.071 | Programs to enable visually impaired children to construct pattern of communication.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 130th General Assembly

The state board of education in carrying out this section and division (B) of section 3325.06 of the Revised Code shall, insofar as practicable, plan, present, and carry into effect an educational program by means of any of the following methods of instruction:

(A) Classes for parents of children of preschool age whose disabilities are visual impairments, independently or in cooperation with community agencies;

(B) Periodic interactive parent-child classes for infants and toddlers whose disabilities are visual impairments;

(C) Correspondence course;

(D) Personal consultations and interviews;

(E) Day-care or child development courses for children and parents;

(F) Summer enrichment courses;

(G) By such other means or methods as the superintendent of the state school for the blind deems advisable that would permit a child of preschool age whose disability is a visual impairment to construct a pattern of communication and develop literacy, mobility, and independence at an early age.

The superintendent may allow children who do not have disabilities that are visual impairments to participate in the methods of instruction described in divisions (A) to (G) of this section so that children of preschool age whose disabilities are visual impairments are able to learn alongside their peers while receiving specialized instruction that is based on early learning and development strategies. The superintendent shall establish policies and procedures regarding the participation of children who do not have disabilities that are visual impairments.

The superintendent may establish reasonable fees for participation in the methods of instruction described in divisions (A) to (G) of this section to defray the costs of carrying them out. The superintendent shall determine the manner by which any such fees shall be collected. All fees shall be deposited in the state school for the blind even start fees and gifts fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. The money in the fund shall be used to implement this section.

Section 3325.08 | Requirement for granting of diploma or honors diploma.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 130th General Assembly

(A) A diploma shall be granted by the superintendent of the state school for the blind and the superintendent of the state school for the deaf to any student enrolled in one of these state schools to whom all of the following apply:

(1) The student has successfully completed the individualized education program developed for the student for the student's high school education pursuant to section 3323.08 of the Revised Code;

(2) Subject to section 3313.614 of the Revised Code, the student has met the assessment requirements of division (A)(2)(a) or (b) of this section, as applicable.

(a) If the student entered the ninth grade prior to July 1, 2014, the student either:

(i) Has attained at least the applicable scores designated under division (B)(1) of section 3301.0710 of the Revised Code on all the assessments prescribed by that division unless division (L) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code applies to the student;

(ii) Has satisfied the alternative conditions prescribed in section 3313.615 of the Revised Code.

(b) If the student entered the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2014, the student has met the requirement prescribed by section 3313.618 of the Revised Code, except to the extent that division (L) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code applies to the student.

(3) The student is not eligible to receive an honors diploma granted pursuant to division (B) of this section.

No diploma shall be granted under this division to anyone except as provided under this division.

(B) In lieu of a diploma granted under division (A) of this section, the superintendent of the state school for the blind and the superintendent of the state school for the deaf shall grant an honors diploma, in the same manner that the boards of education of school districts grant such diplomas under division (B) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code, to any student enrolled in one of these state schools who accomplishes all of the following:

(1) Successfully completes the individualized education program developed for the student for the student's high school education pursuant to section 3323.08 of the Revised Code;

(2) Subject to section 3313.614 of the Revised Code, has met the assessment requirements of division (B)(2)(a) or (b) of this section, as applicable.

(a) If the student entered the ninth grade prior to July 1, 2014, the student either:

(i) Has attained at least the applicable scores designated under division (B)(1) of section 3301.0710 of the Revised Code on all the assessments prescribed under that division;

(ii) Has satisfied the alternative conditions prescribed in section 3313.615 of the Revised Code.

(b) If the student entered the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2014, the student has met the requirement prescribed by section 3313.618 of the Revised Code.

(3) Has met additional criteria for granting an honors diploma.

These additional criteria shall be the same as those prescribed by the state board under division (B) of section 3313.61 of the Revised Code for the granting of such diplomas by school districts. No honors diploma shall be granted to anyone failing to comply with this division and not more than one honors diploma shall be granted to any student under this division.

(C) A diploma or honors diploma awarded under this section shall be signed by the superintendent of public instruction and the superintendent of the state school for the blind or the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, as applicable. Each diploma shall bear the date of its issue and be in such form as the school superintendent prescribes.

(D) Upon granting a diploma to a student under this section, the superintendent of the state school in which the student is enrolled shall provide notice of receipt of the diploma to the board of education of the school district where the student is entitled to attend school under section 3313.64 or 3313.65 of the Revised Code when not residing at the state school for the blind or the state school for the deaf. The notice shall indicate the type of diploma granted.

Section 3325.09 | Career-technical education and work training programs for visually impaired students.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The state board of education shall institute and establish career-technical education and work training programs for secondary and post-secondary students whose disabilities are visual impairments. These programs shall develop communication, mobility, and work skills and assist students in becoming productive members of society so that they can contribute to their communities and living environments.

(B) The state school for the blind may use any gifts, donations, or bequests it receives under section 3325.10 of the Revised Code for one or more of the following purposes that are related to career-technical and work training programs for secondary and post-secondary students whose disabilities are visual impairments:

(1) Room and board;

(2) Training in mobility and orientation;

(3) Activities that teach daily living skills;

(4) Rehabilitation technology;

(5) Activities that teach group and individual social and interpersonal skills;

(6) Work placement in the community by the school or a community agency;

(7) Transportation to and from work sites or locations of community interaction;

(8) Supervision and management of programs and services.

Section 3325.10 | State school for the blind - federal funds and gifts.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 130th General Assembly

The state school for the blind may receive and administer any federal funds relating to the education of students whose disabilities are visual impairments, including secondary and post-secondary students. The school for the blind also may accept and administer any gifts, donations, or bequests made to it for programs or services relating to the education of students whose disabilities are visual impairments, including secondary and post-secondary students.

Section 3325.11 | State school for the blind - student activity and work-study fund.

• Effective: June 30, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

There is hereby created in the state treasury the state school for the blind student activity and work-study fund. Moneys received from donations, bequests, the school vocational program, and any other moneys designated for deposit in the fund by the superintendent of the state school for the blind shall be credited to the fund. Notwithstanding section 3325.01 of the Revised Code, the approval of the state board of education is not required to designate money for deposit into the fund. The school for the blind shall use money in the fund for school operating expenses, including, but not limited to, personal services, maintenance, and equipment related to student support, activities, and vocational programs, and for providing scholarships to students for further training upon graduation.

Section 3325.12 | Funds deposited for special benefit of pupil.

• Effective: March 30, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 530 - 126th General Assembly

Money deposited with the superintendent of the state school for the blind and the superintendent of the state school for the deaf by parents, relatives, guardians, and friends for the special benefit of any pupil shall remain in the hands of the respective superintendent for use accordingly. Each superintendent shall deposit the money into one or more personal deposit funds. Each superintendent shall keep itemized book accounts of the receipt and disposition of the money, which books shall be open at all times to the inspection of the superintendent of public instruction. The superintendent of the state school for the blind and the superintendent of the state school for the deaf each shall adopt rules governing the deposit, transfer, withdrawal, or investment of the money and the investment earnings of the money.

Whenever a pupil ceases to be enrolled in the state school for the blind or the state school for the deaf, if personal money of the pupil remains in the hands of the respective superintendent and no demand is made upon the superintendent by the pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian, the superintendent shall hold the money in a personal deposit fund for a period of at least one year. During that time, the superintendent shall make every effort possible to locate the pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian. If, at the end of this period, no demand has been made for the money held by the state school for the blind, the superintendent of the state school for the blind shall dispose of the money by transferring it to the state school for the blind student activity and work-study fund established by section 3325.11 of the Revised Code. If at the end of this period, no demand has been made for the money held by the state school for the deaf, the superintendent of the state school for the deaf shall dispose of the money by transferring it to the state school for the deaf educational program expenses fund established by section 3325.16 of the Revised Code.

Section 3325.13 | State school for the blind employees food service fund.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

The state school for the blind employees food service fund is hereby created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of payments received from employees who make purchases from the school's food service program. Notwithstanding section 3325.01 of the Revised Code, the approval of the state board of education is not required to designate money for deposit into the fund. The school for the blind shall use money in the fund to pay costs associated with the school's food service program.

Section 3325.14 | State school for the deaf employees food service fund.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

The state school for the deaf employees food service fund is hereby created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of payments received from employees who make purchases from the school's food service program. Notwithstanding section 3325.01 of the Revised Code, the approval of the state board of education is not required to designate money for deposit into the fund. The school for the deaf shall use money in the fund to pay costs associated with the school's food service program.

Section 3325.15 | State school for the deaf - federal funds and gifts.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

The state school for the deaf may receive and administer any federal funds relating to the education of deaf or hearing-impaired students. The school for the deaf also may accept and administer any gifts, donations, or bequests given to it for programs or services relating to the education of deaf or hearing-impaired students.

Section 3325.16 | State school for the deaf - educational program expenses fund.

• Effective: June 30, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

There is hereby created in the state treasury the state school for the deaf educational program expenses fund. Moneys received by the school from donations, bequests, student fundraising activities, fees charged for camps and workshops, gate receipts from athletic contests, and the student work experience program operated by the school, and any other moneys designated for deposit in the fund by the superintendent of the school, shall be credited to the fund. Notwithstanding section 3325.01 of the Revised Code, the approval of the state board of education is not required to designate money for deposit into the fund. The state school for the deaf shall use moneys in the fund for educational programs, after-school activities, and expenses associated with student activities and clubs.

Section 3325.17 | State school for the blind educational program expense fund.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 130th General Assembly

There is hereby created in the state treasury the state school for the blind educational program expense fund. Moneys received by the school from donations, bequests, student fundraising activities, fees charged for camps, workshops, and summer work and learn cooperative programs, gate receipts from school activities, and any other moneys designated for deposit in the fund by the superintendent of the school, shall be credited to the fund. Notwithstanding section 3325.01 of the Revised Code, the approval of the state board of education is not required to designate money for deposit into the fund. The state school for the blind shall use moneys in the fund for educational programs, after-school activities, and expenses associated with student activities.