Education options for deaf and hard of hearing students

Residential schoolA residential school is an institution where students typically

go and live full time while attending (staying in dorms during

the week and traveling home every weekend). These can be

private or state schools. All the students in the school are

deaf or hard of hearing. They are often educated by deaf

teachers or teachers who are trained in deafness. Some

residential schools offer day-only options for students that

are able to commute from home.

Residential schools

Private school for the Deaf*Irving, Texas (near Dallas)*Do not live in dorms

Public School (mainstreaming)

Mainstreaming is when a deaf or hard of hearing

student attends a local public school with hearing

students. The experience can vary greatly

depending on the support services the school has

to provide and the needs of the student.

There are many types of environments a deaf

student may be placed in when attending public

school.

Public School VariationsRegular classroom - ● The student is in a regular classroom with hearing students and

all instruction is from the classroom teacher(s). There are little

to no additional support services provided for the deaf or hard of

hearing student.

Regular classroom with support services - ● The student is in a regular classroom with hearing students;

however, there is some support in addition to the classroom

teacher(s). (sign language interpreter, co-teacher)

Public School Variations cont.

Resource Room - ● The student is in a regular classroom with hearing students,

however, they leave the classroom for designated periods to

receive special instruction (in the resource room).

Self contained classroom - ● The student is in a class, separate from the regular classroom

with hearing students, with a teacher for the deaf. The class is

usually taught with sign language.

Advantages of residential schools

● Students will be around other deaf and hard of hearing students (as the

campus only accepts deaf and hard of hearing students).

● Education is tailored to the needs of deaf and hard of hearing.

● Schools use sign language.

● Most schools offer a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports

and clubs, where the students interact with other deaf residential

schools. These activities can help foster a larger Deaf community for the

student.

● Students build relationships and are involved in Deaf culture and

community.

● Often there is access to strong deaf role models.

Disadvantages of residential schools

● If student stays on campus, they are away from their family for

long periods of time.

● Students get used to a “Deaf world” and are not exposed to as

many experiences in the real world.

● Students miss out on the opportunity to communicate with

hearing individuals.

● Less opportunities to advocate for themselves in a hearing

community (no need in a school full of deaf and signing teachers

and peers).

Advantages of public schools● Students are able to come home to their families after

school everyday.

● Students learn how to communicate and interact with

hearing people.

● The school will have specialists set up to work with

students and provide accommodations to help them

succeed in the classroom.

Disadvantages of public schools

● More isolated; only a few select group of people (students and

teachers) can communicate with them through sign language.

● Larger class sizes

● Even if the student has a sign language interpreter, a highly

qualified one, they may miss out on what is being said

sometimes. It would be impossible for the interpreter to sign

every single word that is being said especially in side

conversations and group discussions.

● The deaf or hard of hearing student could be pulled often from

academic classes for special services such as small group

instruction and speech.

Your assignment:● Think about what you’ve learned about

education for deaf and hard of hearing students in America.

● Write a ONE PAGE PAPER explaining what you would do if you had a deaf child. Where would you choose to place him/her? Would you prefer a residential school? Why or why not? Would you choose a local public school? Why or why not?