Discussion Issues Regarding Utah School for the Deaf
July 16, 2008 - 6 to 9 p.m.
Salt Lake City
Below you will find five points of discussion; these were adapted from the Five Points developed by the Blind Community for their own meeting. We will discuss them thoroughly at our meeting for parents and the Deaf community on Wednesday, July 16 to help prepare for our input session on July 31.
1. Those who meet the definition of deaf/hard of hearing and those who meet the definition of hearing impairment. This includes those with disabilities in addition to being deaf and hard of hearing.
2. Those with hearing loss (deaf and hard of hearing) birth through 21 years of age.
3. Those with functional hearing loss diagnosed by qualified professionals
4. Those who have a diagnosis that indicates a progressive hearing loss.
Note: Children who meet the definitions of deaf/hearing impairment listed above and who can benefit from linguistically, academically, communicatively, and socially are eligible for admission to USD even when they do not qualify for special education services under IDEA.
Early intervention
Instruction in academic core subjects
Adoption of the State Core Curriculum to fit the visual abilities of the students, whether they speak or sign.
Crucial content of the curriculum: Language, Reading, Writing, Deaf Culture, Speech Development and Aural Habilitation.
The State Board of Education must adopt Standards for Education of children who are deaf and/or hard of hearing and delineate USDB and LEA responsibilities for their education.
USD shall be responsible for ensuring maximum language and communication access of deaf and hard of hearing children both at USDB and mainstreamed in LEAs.
USDB must ensure that deaf and hard of hearing children receive a more intense education in their earlier education years
Every Child’s/Student’s placements must involve USD.
USD must implement and maintain a register of all students with hearing loss and track student placements and progress.
USD must provide a continuum of placement options.
Note: IDEA requires providing a full continuum of alternative educational placements, including special schools (deaf schools) for deaf and hard of hearing students.
The School for the Deaf should have a superintendent—not an assistant superintendent or other management position.
The superintendent should report directly to the State Board of Education through the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Note: Two superintendents equal in authority and access to the Board of Education could, through letters of agreement, share facilities and other mutually beneficial resources and staff.
July 16, 2008 - 6 to 9 p.m.
Salt Lake City
Below you will find five points of discussion; these were adapted from the Five Points developed by the Blind Community for their own meeting. We will discuss them thoroughly at our meeting for parents and the Deaf community on Wednesday, July 16 to help prepare for our input session on July 31.
Who should USD serve?
1. Those who meet the definition of deaf/hard of hearing and those who meet the definition of hearing impairment. This includes those with disabilities in addition to being deaf and hard of hearing.
2. Those with hearing loss (deaf and hard of hearing) birth through 21 years of age.
3. Those with functional hearing loss diagnosed by qualified professionals
4. Those who have a diagnosis that indicates a progressive hearing loss.
Note: Children who meet the definitions of deaf/hearing impairment listed above and who can benefit from linguistically, academically, communicatively, and socially are eligible for admission to USD even when they do not qualify for special education services under IDEA.
What services are needed by deaf and hard of hearing children?
Early intervention
Instruction in academic core subjects
Adoption of the State Core Curriculum to fit the visual abilities of the students, whether they speak or sign.
Crucial content of the curriculum: Language, Reading, Writing, Deaf Culture, Speech Development and Aural Habilitation.
What are the responsibilities of USDB and LEAs?
The State Board of Education must adopt Standards for Education of children who are deaf and/or hard of hearing and delineate USDB and LEA responsibilities for their education.
USD shall be responsible for ensuring maximum language and communication access of deaf and hard of hearing children both at USDB and mainstreamed in LEAs.
USDB must ensure that deaf and hard of hearing children receive a more intense education in their earlier education years
Every Child’s/Student’s placements must involve USD.
USD must implement and maintain a register of all students with hearing loss and track student placements and progress.
USD must provide a continuum of placement options.
Note: IDEA requires providing a full continuum of alternative educational placements, including special schools (deaf schools) for deaf and hard of hearing students.
What Governing and administrative structure should be in place?
The School for the Deaf should have a superintendent—not an assistant superintendent or other management position.
The superintendent should report directly to the State Board of Education through the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Note: Two superintendents equal in authority and access to the Board of Education could, through letters of agreement, share facilities and other mutually beneficial resources and staff.
The superintendent must have university training from an accredited program in the education of the deaf/hard of hearing and have relevant administrative experience.
Because the cost of appropriate education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing impaired is significantly higher, on average, no per child formula funding can be used.
How should services be funded?
Because the cost of appropriate education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing impaired is significantly higher, on average, no per child formula funding can be used.
3 comments:
I am soo grateful for these blogs versioned in ASL. Great job, Trent :-).
Thanks for the updates, Trent!
Amazing blog!
Here is one for Utah County parents... there are a few more speakers than signers and the blog is not so tech savvy.
Our meeting with USOE was last night. Hope to post some notes soon.
http://journeytohear.blogspot.com/
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