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Lawmakers give thumbs up to Sign Language courses | newsleader.com | The News Leader
Virginia students soon might have another choice when selecting a foreign language to pursue.
A bill that recognizes American Sign Language as a foreign language has passed both the House and Senate and awaits Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature.
House Bill 1435 was introduced by Delegate Dickie Bell, R-Staunton. Staunton is home to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, which was founded in 1838. According to the school's website, it is one of the oldest schools in the state and the second of its kind in the world.
Although ASL has been taught at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind for decades, now more students might have the chance to take the language for academic credit.
Bell said his measure "simply provides that American Sign Language be given the same standing as other foreign languages in our public high schools and institutions of higher learning. It's a practice currently recognized in 35 other states."
Under Bell's legislation, "if a local school board offers an elective course in American Sign Language, it must grant academic credit for course completion on the same basis as the successful completion of a foreign language course and count course completion in American Sign Language toward the fulfillment of any foreign language requirement for graduation," according to an analysis of the bill by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget.
That part of the bill "codifies a current practice that has been in place for more than 10 years in local school divisions," the analysis said.
"In addition, this bill would now require any public institution of higher education in Virginia to recognize academic credit received for either successful completion of American Sign Language courses in a secondary school or higher education institution as sufficient to meet the foreign language entrance requirements of such institutions. Currently, the decision is left up to the institution on whether or not to recognize such credits."
Virginia Commonwealth University already allows students to present ASL courses to fulfill their foreign language requirement.
According to Dawn Hitchens, an ASL teacher in Loudon County, the legislation could open doors for both deaf and hearing students, who might have more options when selecting colleges.
"Students right now are discouraged from taking ASL," Hitchens said. "They are told that many colleges don't accept it."
Hitchens is glad legislators adopted HB 1435. "It's going to have a huge impact," she said.
The bill passed 95-3 in the House and 34-6 in the Senate.
Sen. George Barker, who voted against the bill, said, "I think the basic objection is that colleges and universities should be able to set their own provisions rather than us dictating from the state level."
Hitchens said there may be another reason why some people might oppose the bill.
"Some don't believe that it's a foreign language because it's used in the U.S.," she said. "But maybe that's just semantics — what does 'foreign' mean?"
If the governor signs the bill, it will become law on July 1.
Virginia students soon might have another choice when selecting a foreign language to pursue.
A bill that recognizes American Sign Language as a foreign language has passed both the House and Senate and awaits Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature.
House Bill 1435 was introduced by Delegate Dickie Bell, R-Staunton. Staunton is home to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, which was founded in 1838. According to the school's website, it is one of the oldest schools in the state and the second of its kind in the world.
Although ASL has been taught at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind for decades, now more students might have the chance to take the language for academic credit.
Bell said his measure "simply provides that American Sign Language be given the same standing as other foreign languages in our public high schools and institutions of higher learning. It's a practice currently recognized in 35 other states."
Under Bell's legislation, "if a local school board offers an elective course in American Sign Language, it must grant academic credit for course completion on the same basis as the successful completion of a foreign language course and count course completion in American Sign Language toward the fulfillment of any foreign language requirement for graduation," according to an analysis of the bill by the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget.
That part of the bill "codifies a current practice that has been in place for more than 10 years in local school divisions," the analysis said.
"In addition, this bill would now require any public institution of higher education in Virginia to recognize academic credit received for either successful completion of American Sign Language courses in a secondary school or higher education institution as sufficient to meet the foreign language entrance requirements of such institutions. Currently, the decision is left up to the institution on whether or not to recognize such credits."
Virginia Commonwealth University already allows students to present ASL courses to fulfill their foreign language requirement.
According to Dawn Hitchens, an ASL teacher in Loudon County, the legislation could open doors for both deaf and hearing students, who might have more options when selecting colleges.
"Students right now are discouraged from taking ASL," Hitchens said. "They are told that many colleges don't accept it."
Hitchens is glad legislators adopted HB 1435. "It's going to have a huge impact," she said.
The bill passed 95-3 in the House and 34-6 in the Senate.
Sen. George Barker, who voted against the bill, said, "I think the basic objection is that colleges and universities should be able to set their own provisions rather than us dictating from the state level."
Hitchens said there may be another reason why some people might oppose the bill.
"Some don't believe that it's a foreign language because it's used in the U.S.," she said. "But maybe that's just semantics — what does 'foreign' mean?"
If the governor signs the bill, it will become law on July 1.