Miss-Delectable
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http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_192135007.html
The Maryland School for the Deaf is considering admitting hearing students who are fluent in American Sign Language, Superintendent James E. Tucker says.
Such admissions reflect a belief among some deaf educators that their institutions should be considered language schools, not just places to teach the hearing-impaired, Tucker told Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich and running mate Kristen Cox during their visit to the school's main campus in Frederick Monday. The school also has a campus in Columbia.
Tucker said he and members of the school's board of trustees are discussing the possibility of admitting hearing students, including children of deaf adults and others who have mastered ASL.
Tucker said he hopes to have a yearlong discussion with school trustees and state officials regarding admitting hearing students.
"It is a natural evolution," Tucker said. He pointed out that the School for the Deaf uses the public school curriculum and participates in the Maryland School Assessment, an annual test of reading and math achievement in grades 3 through 8 that meets the testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Joseph Finnegan, executive director of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf in St. Augustine, Fla., said in a telephone interview Tuesday that some schools refer to hearing-student admissions as "reverse mainstreaming."
"I don't know if trend is the right word, but there certainly has been some exploration in that area by several schools," Finnegan said.
The Maryland School for the Deaf had an enrollment last fall of 277 students in Frederick and 100 in Columbia. The school includes an elementary, middle school and high school.
The Maryland School for the Deaf is considering admitting hearing students who are fluent in American Sign Language, Superintendent James E. Tucker says.
Such admissions reflect a belief among some deaf educators that their institutions should be considered language schools, not just places to teach the hearing-impaired, Tucker told Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich and running mate Kristen Cox during their visit to the school's main campus in Frederick Monday. The school also has a campus in Columbia.
Tucker said he and members of the school's board of trustees are discussing the possibility of admitting hearing students, including children of deaf adults and others who have mastered ASL.
Tucker said he hopes to have a yearlong discussion with school trustees and state officials regarding admitting hearing students.
"It is a natural evolution," Tucker said. He pointed out that the School for the Deaf uses the public school curriculum and participates in the Maryland School Assessment, an annual test of reading and math achievement in grades 3 through 8 that meets the testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Joseph Finnegan, executive director of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf in St. Augustine, Fla., said in a telephone interview Tuesday that some schools refer to hearing-student admissions as "reverse mainstreaming."
"I don't know if trend is the right word, but there certainly has been some exploration in that area by several schools," Finnegan said.
The Maryland School for the Deaf had an enrollment last fall of 277 students in Frederick and 100 in Columbia. The school includes an elementary, middle school and high school.
This is the most ridiculous idea I've heard yet! What's next, force the deaf kids not to use asl because the hearies are offended?
Fat chance, which is what hearies want to do. Keep them out.