Deaf/Blind

The Deaf/Blind district in Florida is home to 5 specialized public schools that serve students with special needs related to deafness or blindness. The district includes 2 high schools, 1 middle school, and 2 elementary schools, all of which receive significantly more funding per student ($41,158) compared to the state average.

Among the standout schools in the district, Blind High School (FSDB) stands out with the highest performance on state assessments, including the highest proficiency rates in Biology 1 (43%), US History (82%), and English Language Arts (30% for 10th grade, 29% for 9th grade). The school also has a relatively high 4-year graduation rate of 89.5%, though it also struggles with a high chronic absenteeism rate of 37.6%. Meanwhile, Deaf Middle School (FSDB) excels in 8th grade Math, with 59% of students proficient or better, and has a low student-teacher ratio of 6:1.

Despite the significant funding, the schools in the Deaf/Blind district generally struggle with academic performance, with most proficiency rates well below the state averages. This highlights the need for tailored instructional strategies and support to address the unique learning needs of deaf and blind students. The high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 31.8% to 46.1%, also require further investigation and targeted interventions to improve student attendance.