Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI)
The vision of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired is ipsto provide a quality, comprehensive education and serve as a statewide resource to students in Illinois with visual impairments, assisting them in becoming personally productive and self-sufficient citizens.
The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI), established in 1849, is a residential/day school for students who are blind or visually impaired. Located in Jacksonville, ISVI provides accredited educational and related services for children from birth to 22 years of age through preschool, elementary and high school.
FY 23 Highlights
- In FY23, ISVI provided educational instruction to 58 students and 78 Birth to 3 babies and their families.
- Strong academic programming emphasizes independence and vocational skills, instruction in Braille, daily living skills, orientation and mobility training, and assistive technology.
- In FY23 ISVI put an increased emphasis on Expanded Core Curricula. They worked with the Minnesota Schools programs and others across the nation to adapt a curricular checklist and provided professional development to the educational and dorm staff.
- Students enjoy a variety of extracurricular and dormitory activities, including track, cheerleading, swimming, wrestling, goalball, bowling, forensics, yearbook, student council, and choir.
- The available curriculum units provide for easy credit transfer from and into public schools. Students can be referred for enrollment by their parents or their local education agency.
- Educational services are provided at no cost to parents. Personal belongings, health care, and spending money are the responsibility of the parents. The home schools are responsible for transportation cost for home-going breaks and personal assistants.
- ISVI has an outreach program that offers conferences for parents and educators across the state, training in assessments, and a Braille Challenge annually.
ISVI progress toward IDSH-DRS goals:
Goal #1: Students will improve/increase self-advocacy skills.
- Educators and/or Transition specialist will work with students individually to set personal goals exploring self-advocacy skills.
- Student's data on self-advocacy skills will be collected at the beginning of the school year and additionally at various times during the school year to compare the rate of growth.
ISVI developed a PACE framework and completed professional development with educational and dorm staff on the Expanded Core Curricula. ISVI is a Leader in Me School and has devoted advisory period to the development of the 7 habits. These habits will be used in all areas of the transition planning and advocacy development.
Goal #2: Schools will increase student enrollment.
- Schools will promote themselves in a positive light on social media and school websites to encourage student enrollment.
- Keep social media and websites up to date with school events and activities.
- Schools will work with school districts to encourage IEP placement in a DRS school.
- IEP team meetings
- ISVI maintained the same enrollment for campus students as in FY 22 however, the 0-3 program saw an increase. This is likely related to in person services and an increase in Outreach services. Parents are noting they are wanting in person services and are willing to attend Opening Doors for a longer period and in person. We also saw increased attendance at the Braille Challenge, Low Vision Clinics, and conferences that we were featured speakers.
ISVI has begun the journey of the 175 years celebration. This has caused an increase in activities open to the public, items that are streamed, and work done in conjunction with alumni, outside stakeholders and our PTO. It is our hope that these types of events will increase awareness and support parents to make informed decision on all the services that ISVI offers as services to the State of Illinois.
Vision for FY 24
Goal #1: In FY 24, 100% of ISVI students 14.5 and over will set personal self-advocacy goals using the new PACE rubrics, and Leader in Me curricula to support achievement.
- Educators and/or Transition specialist will work with students individually to set personal goals exploring self-advocacy skills.
- Student's data on self-advocacy skills will be collected at the beginning of the school year and additionally at various times during the school year to compare the rate of growth.
Goal #2: In FY 24 ISVI will increase enrollment for on campus services and 0-3 programs by 10% given increased social media presence, in person services, and in person outreach events.
- Schools will promote themselves in a positive light on social media and school websites to encourage student enrollment.
- Keep social media and websites up to date with school events and activities.
- Schools will work with school districts to encourage IEP placement in a DRS school .
- IEP team meetings
