Parents Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Parent Information

How do I enroll my child at either of ASDB's site-based schools?

To enroll in either the Tucson Campus program, or the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf the parent or guardian of a Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Blind/Visually Impaired child must first enroll their child in the home school district in which the family resides. You then contact the special education director in your district and ask for a placement review meeting. You may then ask the district to request ASDB's participation in the IEP meeting. After sharing educational records with ASDB, the district will invite ASDB to participate in the IEP meeting where the IEP team will develop goals and objectives and determine the least restrictive environment where those goals and objectives can best be met.

How do I enroll my child in one of the ASDB Regional Cooperative programs?

ASDB's five Regional Cooperative programs work cooperatively with most public school districts in Arizona. (Participation in a Cooperative program is optional, and a few school districts are not members.) ASDB staff work in the public schools, providing educational services to sensory impaired students who need some services to succeed in the public school environment, but who do not need the intensive services of ASDB's site-based schools. If your sensory impaired child is enrolled in a public school in Arizona and is not getting services from ASDB Regional Cooperative staff, ask the district's Special Education director if your district is a member of ASDB's Regional Cooperative network.

What do I do if I don't know what school district I reside in?

E-mail ASDB's Registrar

How long does it take for the enrollment process to be completed?

There are several factors that determine the length and speed of the enrollment period. These factors include how quickly your child's school district acts upon your request, how current the evaluations and IEP are, and the availability of all parties involved. If you have recently moved to Arizona and have brought all of the necessary records with you, the process will move more quickly.

What records will I need?

At the least, you will need your child's most recent, (if deaf), Audiological, (if blind), Ophthalmologic evaluation, the most current IEP, Birth Certificate, Immunization records, and any additional pertinent information about your child that will help determine the most appropriate educational placement. Complete medical records will be needed if your child will be considered for boarding at the Tucson Campus.

What does it cost to attend ASDB?

The State of Arizona provides the funding for students to attend ASDB if the child meets all criteria established by the State of Arizona. You and your child must be residents of Arizona to receive a free and public education in any one of ASDB's programs.

What if I don't live in Arizona?

If you are not residents of Arizona, you must pay out-of-state tuition. Typically, tuition is paid for by your home state if it does not have an appropriate program of its own. The IEP team must agree that ASDB is the most appropriate educational program and least restrictive environment.

Does ASDB provide transportation for my child?

If your child attends the Tucson program, the ASDB Transportation Department will transport enrolled students to and from school daily if they live within the Tucson area. If your child attends the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, the PDSD Transportation Department will provide free daily transport as well. In Tucson, transportation home each weekend is provided for students who live on campus Sunday through Friday, and whose homes are within 125 miles of the Tucson Campus. The Transportation Department is also responsible for transporting students who live outside of the 125-mile boundary (established by the ASDB transportation policy) for holiday breaks. Transportation at the Tucson Campus is not provided to boarding students when they return on Registration day or home on the last day of the school year.

How often are the holiday breaks on the Tucson Campus?

The Tucson Campus closes for one week (two for Christmas) an average of six times during the school year to provide the students who live outside of the 125-mile boundary the opportunity to go home and spend time with their families. As a result, the Tucson campus has no three-day weekends. Typically these holiday breaks occur the week of Labor Day, a week in October, a week at Thanksgiving, two weeks at Christmas and New Year's, a week in February, and a week in April.

If my child is a day student at the Tucson Campus or at PDSD, when will my child be picked up and dropped off daily?

Pick-up and drop-off times will depend upon where you live. The Transportation Department will notify you of these times, as well as the pick-up and drop-off location, prior to your child's first day of school.

What happens if my child stays late because of involvement in an after school activity such as a sports program?

An Activity Bus departs from the Tucson Campus Monday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to enable students to participate in the many activities offered after school.

Does ASDB provide transportation for ASDB students enrolled in the Regional Cooperative programs?

No, transporation in this case is provided by the public school district, since educational services are provided in the child's home district.

If my child is a day student at the Tucson Campus or at PDSD, do I need to pack his/her lunch?

No, breakfast and lunch are provided at no charge for students who live at home and ride the ASDB bus daily.

If my child lives in the residence hall at the Tucson Campus, what personal items are needed?

Parents are responsible for their child's clothing and personal hygiene items, and may provide items for their child's bedroom that will help the child feel at home. Many students bring posters, pictures, radios, pillows and comforters. The school provides sheets, towels and blankets. Parents are asked to open a bank account on campus in the event the student needs to replenish personal hygiene items and/or to have money to use for fieldtrips and outings. Students may also purchase hearing aid batteries from the Audiology Department and have the charges deducted from their account. A monthly statement from the Accounting Department is sent home so that parents can monitor their child's spending.