Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Committee reviewing education services for blind and deaf students in Iowa

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — A committee has decided to recommend Iowa provide education services for blind and deaf students at existing campuses in Vinton and Council Bluffs and three new sites in a regional system.

The Gazette says (http://bit.ly/PykrRX) the proposal will be forwarded to the Iowa Board of Regents. A board vote isn't expected until February.

The proposal will cost $3.2 million more than current spending to serve the deaf and blind students. But School for the Deaf Superintendent Patrick Clancy says the extra cost would be shared by various entities, including local school districts.

The regents charged the committee to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the services.

The state serves about 500 students who are blind or visually impaired. It serves about 1,500 students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

___

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.