INSTRUCTION GOAL THREE: Quality Standards for Instruction
Goal Statement Deaf and hard of hearing children in New Mexico, whether using American Sign Language (ASL) or Spoken Language or using both ASL and spoken language will have a language-driven education in which staff, instructional practices, curricula, services and programs are based on high quality standards that include clear professional requirements consistent with the latest research.
Background The 2003 New Mexico Task Force on the Education of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing – Toward Brighter Futures stated:
Given the crucial communication and language needs of children and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing, this Task Force strongly recommends the development and dissemination (including training and follow-up) of program standards, best practices and quality indicators, including educational and linguistic strategies, technical assistance and use, and other recommendations for improved literacy among [these children]…
The National Agenda (2005) recommended that deaf and hard of hearing students be entitled to an educational program with clear system-wide procedures for accountability, high-stakes testing, assessments and standards that include: •Accountability systems in each state •Statewide accountability procedures and audits that evaluate local programs •Assurances that detailed demographic information is secured •A “best practices” guide •State certification standards aligned with the Council on the Education of the Deaf •State teacher preparation programs that insure qualified, language-proficient teachers and fully qualified interpreters 18