Forget NCLB. What About Just Being Able to Read and Write?
Wednesday September 16, 2009
In this "No child left behind era," it is easy to forget that there are deaf teenagers who can not even read or write at the most basic level. "Desperate Parent" just wrote on the forum that they have a deaf 15 year old son who signs yet does not have enough English language skill to even be able to send text messages! Desperate Parent says the school for the deaf that their son attends, claims they can not meet their son's needs. Now what? The clock is ticking.
Reply to Desperate Parent on the forum.
Comments
I would suggest that BOTH the parent and her or his child be seen by a psychological counselor.
In general, children receive 90% of education from home and 10% from school (Garreston, 1976, 2006).
Hi Jean,
it’s not very encouraging that you have left that rude comment for the parents. They would not seek help out here if they would not take care of their deaf son. I am deaf myself, have a major in Biology/Science and I have a Masters in Special Education (Deaf/Hard of hearing) and all I can tell that it is a statistical fact that about 50% of all deaf adults age 18 or older read and write at a level of a hearing 4th grader or 9 year old child. (Source: Gallaudet Research Institute).
While it is true that deaf children need a healthy (!) language foundation and good communication from birth on and parents do play a BIG part in it- it is NOT only the parents to blame alone.
Some just never were given the right information on where to go and what to do to. Until today the educational system for the deaf and hard of hearing is still not perfect. I have many deaf friends and some are very well educated, while many others struggle with sending text messages in correct English word order.
I suggest the parents may seek help from Gallaudet University in Washington DC (it’s a very successful University for the deaf, and many deaf professionals get their degree at Gallaudet) as they have many research going on regarding his topic. Also, it makes no sense to send your son to a general school if he struggles academically. He may be best taken care of at a school with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialists (Remember: an ASL interpreter alone is not enough to help your son!!!)
Best wishes,
Katrin
Katrin,
I agree! Jean was rude and insensitive! We need to be supportive and offer assistance rather than mean.