WTSD HomeGeneral Information Departments LocationParent Info
The West Tennessee School for the Deaf was established and opened in the fall of 1986 as a state elementary school for children who are deaf or hearing-impaired. We provide educational programs for both residential and day students. Our school currently serves hearing-impaired children ranging in age from 2-13, from counties throught West Tennessee. The West Tennessee School for the Deaf is an agency of the Tennessee State Department of Education, Division of Special Schools. The school is operated by the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education,
At WTSD, we use a total communication approach to deaf education. Total communication aims to make use of a variety of communication modes including signed and oral language development. We utilize an auditory training curriculum and offer speech-language services to students. Auditory trainers are provided for all students. Each student's unique needs and abilities are addressed.
The curriculum at WTSD is designed to meet the individual needs of our students by emphasizing language development, speech, and listening skills. Classroom teachers also follow the Tennessee Curriculum Standards for instruction. WTSD also has classes in computer skills, guidance, library, art, and physical education. Continuous collaboration between teachers, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists provides optimal information for instructional programs.
The residential program provides a caring home environment for students. A staff of six youth service workers provide round the clock supervision for students. A wide variety of off campus activities are planned to provide community integration and social development. Residential services are available Sunday evening through Friday afternoon when all students are transported to their homes for the weekend.
In addition to providing daily audiological services to WTSD students, the Student Services Department provides complete audiological testing services to children from birth to 21 years of age. A referral is not necessary to receive these services. Two on-site audiologists provide services including auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid and classroom amplification analysis and fitting, educational consultative services, and family intervention services for newly identified infants and children with hearing-impairments.
The purpose of the WTRRC is to provide a systematic way to assess and respond to local education agency (LEA) and related service agency needs to improve programs for children with disabilities and their families. Staff time and other resources will be offered through an array of services, such as training, consultation, and technical information. These resources will be utilized to enhance the capacity of the agencies to make positive changes in their personnel and the programs and services they provide. The anticipated impact of the WTRRC is positive change in policy and procedures, local resources and program practices by personnel with new skills and information. The WTRRC staff strives to provide reliable, accurate and timely assistance to agencies and families in the school systems and communities throughout West Tennessee.