Academics
What makes FSDB different from other programs is full access to language acquisition, development, and mastery.
Instruction
FSDB instructional materials are geared to accommodate each student’s learning needs, abilities, and styles. Students who are deaf/hard of hearing benefit from American Sign Language and English instruction, and students who are blind/visually impaired benefit from braille instruction.
Dual certified teachers, specialized services, small class sizes, and state-of-the-art technologies create a strong foundation for student achievement. Advanced technologies also ensure that parents are an integral part of their child’s education through distance learning, video streaming, and videophone conferencing.
Curricula
Curriculum instruction at FSDB is based on the Florida Department of Education Course Descriptions, Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science and Social Studies, Math Florida Standards, Language Arts Florida Standards, as well as the Next Generation Generation Sunshine State Access Points and the Florida State Standards Access Points (as appropriate).
21st Century Classrooms
FSDB has small class sizes and advanced technologies that allow teachers to provide individualized and group instruction for increased student success.
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Campus & Off-Campus
CTE Programs
First Coast Technical College (FCTC)
FSDB collaborates with First Coast Technical College (FCTC) to provide our students with a head start toward a career. Interested students work toward certifications and skill mastery within the various technical programs during the school day. Students have the opportunity to choose from programs in: Horticulture, Culinary Arts, Auto Repair, Cosmetology, and Child Care. Students are given hands on opportunities to learn and practice skills in these areas and take corresponding certifications as applicable to each program.
Our partnership with FCTC allows our students the opportunity to Do More, Be More, and Achieve More.
Take a Virtual Tour of FCTC
Braille Production Center
The FSDB Braille Production Center provides transcription of print materials into accessible braille formats for students. These include but are not limited to: literary braille in Unified English Braille (UEB) code, math braille in Nemeth code, tactile graphics, music braille, and print/braille for non-braille readers.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITY CENTER
The FSDB Learning Opportunity Center (LOC) provides a rich array of options for FSDB Middle and High School students who choose to take advantage of online learning opportunities to further their academic and career goals. Students can take academic courses, Honors courses, Advanced Placement courses, Dual Enrollment college courses, or elective courses through the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) or St. Johns River State College (SJRSC).
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Career & Technical
Education Programs
5
Elementary, Middle,
and High Schools
64%
of Classroom/Instructional Staff have Advanced Degrees
8
Performing Arts
Programs
interpreter Services
Sign Language and English interpreting and language facilitation services at FSDB ensure that students, parents, and staff members have equal opportunities to be seen, heard, and understood. The program administers the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) for those whose positions involve direct interaction with deaf and hard of hearing students.
English Language Learner Program
FSDB students classified as English Language Learners (ELLs) have access to ELL services to meet individualized language learning, academic achievement, and cultural integration needs. Language facilitators and translators currently specialize in Arabic, French, Italian, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Spanish.
orientation
& Mobility
The Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Program provides comprehensive instruction and training for all students who are blind or visually impaired, including students who are deaf-blind. The ultimate goal of instruction in this critical area is for all students to develop the skills, knowledge, techniques, and confidence to lead to safe, independent, and successful lives.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT
At FSDB, our goal is to create a safe and nurturing environment that is free from bullying and harassment, and we do this in collaboration with our school community. The FSDB Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program establishes campus-wide behavioral expectations—Being Cooperative, Being Responsible, and Being Respectful—with emphasis on modeling, teaching, reteaching, and reinforcing appropriate behaviors. The PBS framework and philosophy establishes a common language and provides tiered support as needed at varying levels of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Recognizing positive behavior often and consistently is key to the success of our PBS program.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports/Response to Intervention (MTSS/RTI)
FSDB is dedicated to your child’s success. Your child’s teachers and support providers closely monitor to watch for signs that he/she may need additional support to achieve their goals both academically and behaviorally.
Students that have been identified as needing additional strategies or interventions in the classroom are referred to our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team. This team meets on a weekly basis to review data. There is a problem-solving process in which areas of need are identified and a strategy is put in place to help boost achievement and/or behavior. The team consists of the school administrator, psychologist, academic specialists, behavior specialists, referring teacher, dorm personnel, and you – the parent/guardian. Reasons for referral could be: Temporary Assignment, new student, academic needs (lack of progress, need for more or less challenging class placements), review of behavior or counseling needs, bullying or recipient of bullying behavior, attendance, or other classroom concerns.
During the MTSS meeting, information on your child’s progress and concerns will be reviewed. The Team will listen to potential concerns in either core academics, behavioral areas or attendance. The team will come up with a plan of support your child’s success. This is not an IEP meeting. It is an informal review of progress and a review of strategies that will support student progress in meeting individualized goals.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Quality instruction and interventions are guided by the analysis of student assessment results, quality student and parent conferencing, participation in collaborative learning communities, and a systematic response to data from multiple summative and formative assessments.
Throughout the state of Florida, the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA), Next Generation Sunshine State Standard (NGSSS) Exams and End of Course (EOC) Exams have been developed to provide schools with a systematic way to determine student achievement.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
The FSDB School Improvement Process is a critical part of annual planning. Each year, school-level plans are developed to provide a strong foundation for a productive academic year for students and teachers. These plans are reviewed by a comprehensive school leadership team which include parents and community stakeholders. Final school improvement plans are filed with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), as also mandated by federal educational requirements.
FEDERAL GRANTS
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has a number of grants designed for educational purposes. The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) receives funds from ESSA Title I Part A, Title II Part A, Title IV Part A, as well as the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
education for homeless children and youth
The McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program is designed to address the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. Under this federal program, state educational agencies must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youth. This program’s guidance at FSDB is provided by Operational Policy and Procedure 10.36.
View Policy.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FSDB is committed to the provision of professional development and learning opportunities for teachers and staff members that are standards-based, relevant, and innovative, which will in turn improve administrative leadership, teacher effectiveness, and student achievement. Professional development is a high priority on this campus; the results of such development are evident in the success of our students.
Blind department principal
Carol bogue
Carol A. Bogue began her career at the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts, first as a Dormitory Staff Member, Teacher, Social Worker, and finally as Assistant Principal. She then worked at FSDB as a Math Specialist, and later at the Maryland School for the Blind as Director of Education. In 2016, Ms. Bogue was named to her current role as Principal of the Blind Department, overseeing academic education for blind and visually impaired students.
Certificate, Educational Leadership, Fitchburg State College
Master of Arts, Visual Impairment Education, Boston College
Master of Arts, Social Work, Boston College
Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics, Saint Vincent College
Our goal is for every student to maximize their potential, achieve greater independence, gain college and career readiness skills, and become well rounded, caring members of their community. It truly does take a village and the roles of both family and school are critical. I am thankful to each family for choosing FSDB, and grateful for the opportunity to serve our children, our families, our staff members, and our school community.
Deaf department principal
Angela saunders
Angela M. Saunders has been an educator for 25 years in a variety of settings throughout her career, including pre-kindergarten reverse inclusion, elementary specific learning disabilities, deaf/autism and behavioral disabilities at both the high school and college levels. She worked as an Exceptional Needs Specialist, coordinating and leading student IEP conferences, and later as Coordinator of Florida-based residential programs for deaf-autistic students with behavioral and psychiatric support needs. She served as a scorer for the Educational Teacher Preparation Assessment ( EdTPA). Ms. Saunders is passionate about growing educators and future leaders to balance the individual needs of students while maintaining academic integrity.
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate, Special Education Leadership, Capella University
Master of Arts, Educational Leadership, National University
Bachelor of Arts (Dual), Deaf Education & Special Education, Flagler College
Every child has the right to achieve their maximum potential. Our teachers are passionate about educating the whole child and giving them the tools to grow and become successful both in and beyond the classroom. Our goal is to make sure that all students have access to a rigorous education, positive behavioral supports, and a culture that embraces their diversity and unique needs, pushing them to achieve the best version of themselves that they can be.