Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1)
Definitions.
(a) Deaf means a hearing level
that is so severe that it impacts the processing of linguistic information
through hearing, with or without amplification, that adversely affects the
student's educational performance.
(b) Hard of hearing means a hearing
impairment or loss, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a
student's educational performance, but that is not included under the
definition of deaf.
(c) Speech
Language Pathologist means an individual who is certified or licensed in speech
or language pathology in accordance with Rule
6A-4.01761, Florida
Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
(d)
Teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing means an individual who is certified in
the area of deaf or hard of hearing in accordance with Rule
6A-4.0172, F.A.C.
(2) A full and individual
evaluation must be conducted by a school district to identify a student who is
deaf or hard of hearing as eligible for exceptional student education and
consider the individual needs of a student who is deaf or hard of hearing when
developing, reviewing, or revising an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) in
accordance with Rules
6A-1.09401(1)(j),
6A-1.09414,
6A-6.03028,
6A-6.0331, and
6A-6.03411, F.A.C.
(3) Eligibility determination. For a student
who is, or who is suspected of being, deaf or hard of hearing, evaluation for
eligibility must include an audiological report and two assessments as
described in paragraphs (3)(b)-(c), unless one of the assessments is waived as
provided in paragraph (3)(d).
(a) An
audiological report. An audiological report must include a summary of the
hearing and medical history, audiological evaluation results, and a diagnosis
of any hearing impairment or loss. A licensed audiologist must provide the
audiological report.
(b) Functional
listening assessment. A functional listening assessment is an assessment that
determines how noise, distance, and visual input affect a student's listening
abilities. This assessment must be conducted by a teacher of the deaf or hard
of hearing or a licensed speech language pathologist.
(c) Communication and language assessment. A
communication and language assessment is an assessment that addresses
expressive and receptive language, including pragmatic language. The
assessments must consider a student's preferred mode of communication, such as
American Sign Language, spoken language, signed or written language, with or
without visual support or hearing assistive technology, augmentative and
alternative communication, or a combination thereof. These assessments must be
conducted by a teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing, a licensed speech
language pathologist, or a combination of both.
(d) Assessment waiver. If one of the
assessments described in paragraphs (3)(b) or (3)(c) provides sufficient
information to determine that a student who is deaf or hard of hearing is
eligible for exceptional student education, the other assessment must be waived
for the purpose of determining eligibility. However, if the assessment is
waived because it was not necessary to determine eligibility, the assessment
must be completed during the IEP process.
(4) Reevaluation. Reevaluation of students
who are deaf or hard of hearing must comply with Rule
6A-6.0331(7),
F.A.C., and in addition must include an audiological report and an evaluation
of skills known to be impacted by the hearing impairment or loss as required
for determining initial eligibility. The audiological report may be waived by
the IEP team if the team finds that there is no suspected change in
hearing.
(5) Usher syndrome
screening. A screening for Usher syndrome must be administered to each student
who is deaf or hard of hearing at least once during grades K-5 and grades
6-12.
(6) Once a student who is
deaf or hard of hearing is determined eligible for exceptional student
education, the district must conduct the following assessments:
(a) Any assessment waived for the eligibility
determination as provided in paragraph (3)(d); and
(b) A special skills assessment. A special
skills assessment evaluates skills aligned with content knowledge described in
Rule 6A-1.09401(1)(j),
F.A.C. This assessment must be conducted by a teacher of the deaf or hard of
hearing.
(7) Supportive
services. The district must make available referral forms, links, and technical
support contacts for services to students and parents. These resources include:
(a) Auditory-Oral Clarke School and Bridge to
Speech Clarke School;
(b)
Auditory-Oral University of Miami (UM) Debbie School and Bridge to Speech UM
Debbie School;
(c) Educational
Interpreter Project (EIP);
(d)
Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS);
(e) Florida Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR);
(f) Florida
School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB); and
(g) Resource Materials and Technology Center
for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (RMTC-DHH).
Rulemaking Authority
1003.01,
1003.57,
1003.571 FS. Law Implemented
1003.01,
1003.57,
1003.571
FS.
New 7-1-77, Amended 9-11-84, Formerly 6A-6.3013, Amended
7-1-94, 7-1-07, 12-15-09.
