Louisiana is a Parent Option state. Louisiana parents have the right to choose Louisiana School for Deaf for their child without the permission of their home district. Louisiana School for the Deaf is a tuition free school that provides academic and extra curriculaur programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children from birth -12th grade. LSD uses American Sign Language and Spoken/Written English to promote academic, cultural, social, emotional, and physical development for all students.
Parent Option was established by the Louisiana Legislature in 1993
§463. Parent Request for Enrollment to LSD or LSVI
A. If an LEA does not request enrollment to a BSS, a parent may request admittance to LSD or LSVI. This request is referred to as parent option.
B. Prior to September 1 of each school year, LSD and LSVI shall determine starting enrollment/resource figures for:
1. the number of students enrolled to date through the referral process and previous parent option students who continue to meet enrollment standards;
2. the resources available to provide supplementary services beyond classroom instruction for those students (e.g., bus space availability; professional service contract limits for OT and PT, psychiatric and psychological services; residential staff/student ratio).
C. If the student is not admitted to LSD or LSVI, jurisdiction does not change.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.17:1941 et seq including R.S. 17:1946 and R.S. 17:1960.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 34:2067 (October 2008).