L.CHS

Reader be informed: : 

Reader be informed: This is a final draft until it is proven formality

Massachusetts is your TOWN : 

Massachusetts is your TOWN “The untapped potential of persons with disabilities is a resource that we must unleash… For too long people with disabilities have been under-educated by our schools, under- employed in the workforce, and under-appreciated in our communities.” – summarized MA Governor Deval Patrick in 2006

Deaf Education: The How : 

Deaf Education: The How Deaf

L. Clerc High School : 

L. Clerc High School The Creation of a MA State Secondary Program for the Deaf Reported by Massachusetts Deaf Education Reform Committee The Ideal Proposed

What was her 1st exposure? : 

What was her 1st exposure?

Seriously, what’s “audism”? : 

Seriously, what’s “audism”?

Table of Contents : 

Table of Contents Problems for Deaf Community Causes of Degraded Deaf Education History: Deaf Way of Life Solutions for Future Deaf Generations

I. Deaf Community Problems : 

I. Deaf Community Problems Failure of Deaf Education after 30 years… English reading levels prior to graduating from high school: 3rd-4th grade College/post-secondary school graduation rate: 8% of US deaf population Today disabled Americans’ unemployment rate: 62%

Deaf Employment : 

Deaf Employment Before ADA, 60% of disabled Americans were unemployed Out of 300 million “functional” Americans today: 56+ million Americans are labeled as “disabled” Up to 38% of disabled Americans have jobs. Over 30 million “disabled” Americans are deaf and hard of hearing. Source: U.S. Government Reports on Disability Statistics

Facts : 

Facts Americans with hearing loss are the LARGEST group of all disabled groups. Taxation without representation and without a town of their own. Deaf Seniors (from birth to late deaf) Deaf Adults (from birth to gone deaf) Deaf Children (from birth to early deaf) Is Deaf Education better than 30 years ago? 125 years ago?

II. Contributing Causes to Degradation of Deaf Education : 

II. Contributing Causes to Degradation of Deaf Education Laws from 1975 to 2001 (NCLB) 1975: 85% Deaf schools, 15% mainstreamed 2005: 15% Deaf schools, 85% mainstreamed Lack of qualified teachers Lack of certified interpreters Deaf employment continues to be a struggle Result: Lack of productive Deaf citizenship

LRE Law for Deaf? : 

LRE Law for Deaf? Since 1975, PL94-142 has thrown off deaf children’s rhythmic learning systems daily Deaf students are losing a sense of identity within the public school system Low expectations of deaf students are still seen across the country What happens to No Child Left Behind Act for deaf children?

III. Deaf History : 

III. Deaf History Pre-1817 to Post-1975 Martha’s Vineyard Deaf history is not included in Massachusetts official texts Sign languages were banned internationally in 1880; many bans still exist today 1975 law (PL94-142/IDEA): breaking up or disabling the Deaf communities Economics: ASL is either being exploited nicely or is it for profit by hearing people today?

Deaf Opportunities? : 

Deaf Opportunities? Who controls MA Deaf education? Nearly all deaf school programs in MA run by non-deaf administrators Deaf employment of the past & today Lost and found in the history of the Deaf Deaf educators/instructors – where are they? What happens to ADA for deaf people?

IV. Solutions for Deaf Community : 

IV. Solutions for Deaf Community New law to protect Deaf children culturally and linguistically Deaf Education = Public Education Not Special Education Disabling misconceptions A Deaf-Way magical solution does make a difference ASL is the answer for full accessibility State high school for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students 51% Deaf Employment Role models and belonging

L. Clerc High School : 

L. Clerc High School FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION Deaf-centered state establishment Makes macro-economic sense ASL is learned by many non-deaf peers and denied by parents of the deaf children High school sports and non-sport activities are popular in many regional high schools Social interaction skills are in demand for community networking Aim to improve all deaf schools (K-8th grade)

“Greatest Need in Deaf Education: Deaf Leadership”Dr. Hank KloppingSuperintendent of the California School for the Deaf (Fremont)Hearing son of Deaf parents : 

“Greatest Need in Deaf Education: Deaf Leadership”Dr. Hank KloppingSuperintendent of the California School for the Deaf (Fremont)Hearing son of Deaf parents

Wrap Up: Dr. Frank Turk : 

Wrap Up: Dr. Frank Turk “This comprehensive report may be utilized by the parents, educators, professionals, public service providers, lawmakers and legislators to guide their collective effort in bringing to all deaf and hard-of-hearing children the best possible total educational environment. The terms, ‘total educational environment,’ refer to development of the whole child, the fragmentary whole – the social, physical, intellectual, communicative, and emotional aspects of the child’s total growth.”

1776 Declaration of Independence : 

1776 Declaration of Independence Source: PBS.org

A Declaration of Deaf Persons’ Rights : 

A Declaration of Deaf Persons’ Rights Critical Thinking on Deaf Issues Unresolved Taxation without representation in colonial America Before revolution against the British Empire. References or sources for the Declaration of Independence? Deaf Americans: taxation without representation today “Nothing about us, without us.” We all are self-evident people: The Deaf.

Historical, if not Biblical Sayings(from the Good Book) : 

Historical, if not Biblical Sayings(from the Good Book) “It is God who makes man deaf.” (Exodus 4:11) “Do not curse the deaf.” (Lev. 19:14) ------------------------------------------ “Deaf people can do anything, but listen differently.” (You)

Questions & Answers/Concerns : 

Questions & Answers/Concerns Focus on changing Deaf Education and ASL-supported learning approaches Opportunities for Deaf Employment School  Work  Life: A New Deaf Economy for future generations “Ask not what MA can do for you the taxpayers, but ask what you the taxpayers can do for MA.” Next step: Petition or knock on MA lawmakers’ door

MA Deaf/Public Forum 2009 : 

MA Deaf/Public Forum 2009 WHAT: For the change of Deaf Education in MA WHO: Deaf MA residents wish to participate in open discussion or feedback (signing public is welcome!) WHEN: WHERE: Light refreshment will be served