They do not consider the additional expense to the local school district and community. This was the case as legislators continue to consider legislation disbanding special education facilities to service deaf students in that state (Hopkins, 2007). They are only looking at one side of the budgetary issues, rather than looking at the total expenditure picture. This is a short-sighted approach that will cost more in the long-term.
Appropriate education in the age of distance technology vs. Vygotskyy's theory
Larwood (2004) proposed distance education at a potential solution to the problem of finding certified sign language teachers and teacher for the deaf. This same solution may hold prospects as a solution to the problem of educating the deaf students themselves. Online schools are popping up all over the nation as a potential solution to a number of educational issues. They are particularly appealing to those students that do not "fit" into the traditional school setting. Many of these schools, such as TRECA Digital Academy offer programs in partnership with local school districts (Schumm, 2007).
Online may be the ultimate solution for the technical and budgetary issues facing those that specialize in the education of the deaf. However, one has to also consider the impact on the cultural aspects of the student. According to Vygotsky, a child learns the social and cultural aspects of their society by interacting with others. The cultural aspects of society are always a concern in the online learning environment. There is concern that children that do not have interaction with others will not become fully integrated members of that society.
In an online school setting, the child can excel academically, however they are doing so in a rather isolated environment. A deaf child is even more socially isolated than hearing children. There needs to be special attention given to deaf students and their needs for socialization. Video conferencing combined with chat via software such as elluminate Live is one option...
Equally destructive is the attitude that communicating with the Deaf person may involve more time and effort than one wishes to expend" (Zieziula, 1998, p. 193). Moreover, and perhaps one of the most important challenges related to this issue, a large percentage of deaf individuals do not trust the hearing society. "Historically, the dominant hearing culture has relegated deaf people to social categories such as "handicapped" and "outsider." The history
Sign language is one of the most important elements of deaf communication, and losing this element frightens and outrages some members of the deaf community. In addition, many deaf people feel that the rehabilitation necessary after implant surgery is often neglected or not budgeted for, and so, it is not managed effectively, and the implants are not used to their full potential. In addition, the implants do not miraculously cure
Abstract This paper provides an extensive review of literature on deaf students and deafness. The purpose of the literature review is to obtain an understanding of what deafness is, what causes deafness, how it occurs, and what deaf culture is like for deaf people. The review identifies schools and programs that are used to help the deaf community and it also examines the outcomes of deaf students in general education. It
Abstract Students with disabilities or suspected disabilities are evaluated by schools to determine whether they are eligible for special education services and, if eligible to determine, what services will be provided. In many states, the results of this evaluation also affect how much funding assistance the school will receive to meet the students. This study provides a brief detail historical background on special education screening. It focuses on the philosophies of
"Co-enrolled classrooms," they advise, "represent a promising additional possibility for increasing student social access to peers, as well as increasing achievement. A co-enrolled classroom typically consists of an approximately 2:1 ratio of hearing and Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) students. A team of two teachers, a general education teacher and a teacher of DHH students, collaborate to provide instruction. In many CE classrooms, the teachers and students frequently use both
Another means for supporting and financing the education of deaf people is through the promotion of a financial package meant to improve the resources available to special schools and teachers. In this sense, schools in Great Britain for instance receive special funds for training their teachers to reach British Sign Language level 3 (Scottish Council on Deafness, n.d.), to become more aware of the special needs such persons have in
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