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Frequently Asked Questions for Parents and Districts -
How do I enroll my child?

Who can attend California School for the Deaf, Riverside?

      Deaf or hard-of-hearing students (3 to 21 years old) residing in Southern California who meet the eligibility criteria and are referred by their local school district may attend CSDR. Parent Infant Program is provided for children 18 months to 3 years on campus in conjunction with Riverside Unified School District.School districts located within the 11 counties of Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties may refer students to CSDR.

 

What is the educational approach at CSDR?

Balanced bilingualism in American Sign Language and English is the goal for all students at the school. CSDR is a place where deaf and hard-of-hearing students can participate in practical and abstract activities that require higher level thinking skills and inspire personal growth.

 

Does CSDR teach the students on the state standards?

Yes, our academic program follows the California state standards and our teachers are highly qualified according to the federal law under the No Child Left Behind Act. The Special Needs program follows grade-level California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) standards.

 

Are CSDR students assessed on the state standards?

Yes, students are tested through multiple measures.
        • School-wide Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) are tested in the fall and spring semesters.
        • The teachers in grade-level teams use curricula-based Interim Assessment five times a year to assess students’ performance based on the standards to monitor student performance and use re-teaching strategies.
        • Students in grades two through eleven participate in a STAR test developed by grade and subject administered each Spring. Students with an IEP take the test appropriate for their age and individual needs.
          • The California Standards Tests (CSTs) are for California public schools and are aligned to the state content standards.
          • The California Modified Assessment (CMA) is a grade-level assessment for students with disabilities in California public schools who meet the state criteria.
          • The California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) is for California public school students who have significant cognitive disabilities and cannot take the CSTs even with accommodations or modifications.
          • Parents, by law, are an essential voice on the IEP team. Whatever your desires or concerns, you should be well-informed about your rights as a parent.
          • If you feel you need additional support or an explanation of your parental rights, you may wish to contact an organization called Parent Links at the Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center: http://www.myparentlinks.com/ The contact person is Barbara Matusky and she can be reached at 818-677-6854.
        • For more information, visit the Department of Assessment and Intervention webpage at: http://csdr-cde.ca.gov/student-services/department-of-assessment-and-intervention/

 

Will students graduate with diplomas?

Yes, if the students meet all course requirements toward graduation.

 

Are students required to take the California High School Exit Exam?

Yes. All students are required to take the CAHSEE starting in the 10th grade, and CSDR strongly encourages students to work toward passing the exam. Students with an IEP are currently exempt from the passage of the California High School Exit Exam for students to graduate. Students who attend California School for the Deaf, Riverside starting at a young age are more likely to pass the HSEE.

 

Are speech and audiology services provided at CSDR?

Yes, Speech and Audiology services are provided based on individual need by highly qualified, licensed speech language pathologists and a licensed audiologist who each hold Master’s degrees and are accredited by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA CCC). CSDR has a good number of professionals with qualifications.
Speech services focus on skills and strategies that will facilitate positive interactions with non-signing individuals rather than the traditional speech therapy approach that focuses on precise articulation of individual sounds and words.
We include small-sized classes in spoken English/articulation, auditory training, speech reading, and communication strategies through pull-out services.
Elementary students visit “Speech Village”, an environment filled with real-life activities and experiences, for students to practice speaking and listening within a simultaneous real-world context.
Speech sessions in middle school and high school further strengthen the skills that were taught in elementary school. The focus continues to be on functional communication relating to everyday experiences, such as communicating with family members, ordering food in restaurants, and preparing for job interviews.

 

How much does it cost to send students to CSDR?

There is no cost to parents or school districts for the educational program at CSDR. There is a cost to be paid by the local school district if a student lives on campus. For information about the cost for living on campus, contact Mary Hanlon at mhanlon@csdr-cde.ca.gov.

 

What are my child’s educational rights?

Under IDEA, all children are entitled to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. (http://idea.ed.gov/)

 

What are my rights as a parent for the education of my child?

          Parents, by law, are an essential voice on the IEP team. Whatever your desires or concerns, you should be well-informed about your rights as a parent.
If you feel you need additional support or an explanation of your parental rights, you may wish to contact an organization called Parent Links at the Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center: http://www.myparentlinks.com/ The contact person is Barbara Matusky and she can be reached at 818-677-6854.

 

How can my child become a student at California School for the Deaf, Riverside?

Contact CSDR Family Education Coordinators to set up a tour and contact CSDR Admissions office for help in getting started with procedures and applications. To complete the process, parents need to work collaboratively with their school district in making the best educational choice for their child.

 

What is the referral process?

        • The school district of residence (Local Education Agency or LEA) refers a deaf applicant by submitting an application packet.
        • A complete application packet contains the following school documents: current IEP & addendums, unaided audiogram, most recent psychological-educational report & Triennial IEP, state-mandated testing results (CST/CMA/CAPA, and CAHSEE), speech & language assessment reports, behavior reports (including suspensions & expulsions), educationally-relevant medical information, progress reports/report cards, and transcripts (for High School students.)
        • Paperwork needed from the parent/guardian includes the application, a background questionnaire, a copy of the birth certificate, guardianship papers (if applicable), a student information form (completed by a current or recent teacher), a medical exam form (completed by a physician), and immunization records.
        • Application files are reviewed each Friday by the CSDR Admissions Committee to determine if the applicant meets the admissions criteria set forth in the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 17660-17663.
        • The parents and the referring school district are notified by the Admissions Office of the Admission Committee’s decision regarding the application

How quickly will an application be reviewed?

Complete application packets are reviewed within two weeks of receipt during the regular school year. Applications received during the summer months are reviewed as quickly as possible to insure that eligible candidates can begin attending on the first day of the school year.

 

Can a student transfer to CSDR during the school year?

Yes, CSDR accepts new students throughout the school year.
High School students transferring from another program in Southern California are urged to transition during a natural break in the school year (at the beginning of a semester) to avoid loss of credits.
Families moving to Southern California (from Northern California, another state, or another country) must first register with their local school district and request that the school district make a referral to CSDR.

 

If I am interested in sending my child to CSDR, what do I do?

Contact the CSDR Admissions Coordinatorto obtain an application.
      • Robin Bandy, Admissions Coordinator: 951-248-7700, x4597 (voice) or 951-824-8120 (VP); email rbandy@csdr-cde.ca.gov
      • Pamela Esparza, Admissions Secretary: 951-248-7700, x6539 (voice English & Español); email pesparza@csdr-cde.ca.gov
      • Jennie Machado, Director of Student Services: 951-248-7700 x1118 (voice) or 951-824-8031 (VP); email jmachado@csdr-cde.ca.gov
Contact one of the Coordinators of Family Education to arrange a tour of the campus. Refer to instructions and contact numbers immediately below.
  • Inform your child’s current teacher and/or DHH case manager that you are considering applying to CSDR.
    Request an IEP meeting with your school district to discuss a referral to CSDR.

May I visit the school for a tour?

  • Yes, you are most welcome! Contact us to arrange a tour in advance. We generally conduct our family tours Tuesday through Thursday.

     

    Can I visit inside the classrooms?

    The school welcomes the public to visit the campus and observe the classroom instruction during the annual Open House held on Veteran’s Day in November. Families who are interested in having their deaf or hard-of-hearing child enroll at CSDR can visit the classrooms by contacting the coordinators of Family Education and setting up a family tour.

     

    Can CSDR serve out of state students?

    The State Special Schools in California sends funds for students who reside in California only. Students must have a parent or guardian who lives in California. However, according to Ed Code Section 59031: Deaf person not residents of this state may be admitted to the benefits of the California School for the Deaf upon paying to the Department of Education the school year cost for the maintenance, care, and instruction of the person.


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