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Schools for the Deaf in the United States use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language. Two options are commonly available for deaf children in public schools: 1. Schools where the primary language is a signed language appropriate to that specific country 2. Schools where the primary language is the spoken language appropriate to that country

History:
The first public school for the deaf was created by Abbé de l'Épée in Paris, France in the year 1760. The school had about 40 deaf children and was named, Institution Nationale des sourds-muets de Paris, meaning The National Deaf-Dumb Institute of Paris. However, the name of this school has now been changed to, Institut National de Jeunes Sourds de Paris. Abbé de l'Épée mixed French Sign Language (LSF) with the spoken language of French by adding grammatical features of French to LSF.

The Milan Conference
There were many schools for the deaf/Deaf that used a signed language as their means of communication. However, this changed during the Milan Conference in 1880. Due to the outcome of the Milan Conference, The Oralist Method, schools for the deaf dramatically changed their standards on how to teach deaf students. Many schools for the deaf now had to use an oralist approach instead of using a signed language. Before the Milan Conference in 1880, around 45% of teachers in schools for the deaf were deaf themselves (Cokely). One outcome of the shift to the oralist approach was that the number of deaf teachers declined.

Possible Problems with the Oral Approach
When schools for the deaf were initially started, schools for the most part taught using a manual language. After the shift to the oralist approach, schools for the deaf were not focused on the child learning the school material but altered its focus to how the child learned the material, which was through speech. Many people in the Deaf community were upset with this shift in focus from using a signed language to being taught through the spoken language in the area. Other reasons people might feel that mainstreaming deaf children into the hearing public school system is that the focus is on speech instead of using ASL as a main form of communication. This process can potentially put deaf children in an awkward scenario because they are usually only one of a few deaf children at the school, hence a greater possibility of the child feeling isolated. Being mainstreamed could also lead to potential problems with the deaf students grades because they might have trouble lip reading what is being said in the class. Another outcome of the switch to the oralist methodology was that deaf children's academic levels declined. Before 1880 deaf children were maintaining a more solid foundation in their academics, whereas after 1880 most deaf children left school with an average reading level of a fourth grader.

American School for the Deaf
This was the first deaf school established in America by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. The school was founded on April 15, 1817. Initially the school was called, "The Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for the Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons. However, the name was changed to what it is now known as, The American School for the Deaf (ASD). ASD used LSF because that is the language Laurent Clerc's used to sign. Although LSF was used in ASD, the signed language gradually changed to become what is now known as ASL.

Gallaudet University
Gallaudet is a highly renowned college university that has programs specifically for deaf people. This school was founded in 1864 and the primary language used on campus is ASL. However, it is considered a bilingual college because it also fosters the English language as well. The original name of this school was, "The Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind," but in 1954 they changed the name to "Gallaudet College." In 1986, Gallaudet was allowed to be called a university because of an act passed by the United States Congress.

Beverly School for the Deaf
This school was originally named, "The New England Industrial School for the Education and Instruction of Deaf Mutes." But has since changed to Beverly School for the Deaf in 1922. This school accepts hard of hearing, deaf, and hearing children but also allow a broader range of children that have mental disabilities as well. This school primarily uses ASL as the main form of communication but is also a bilingual school that teaches their students English.

The Learning Center for the Deaf (TLC)
TLC school was established in 1970. TLC has curriculums built in for children from preschool all the way up to young adults in the 12th grade. This institution teaches their students in ASL but also allows their students to learn English as a second language. One of their commitments on their school campus is to make sure that language is accessible to everyone. Therefore, when on campus everyone must use ASL to communicate so each individual can have access to the language. For example, if there are hearing parents that are taking a tour, there will be an interpreter with them to interpret into ASL to make sure that the language is accessible to everyone on the campus.

Clarke School for Hearing and Speech
Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech used to be called "Clarke School for the Deaf / Center for Oral Education." The school was founded in 1867 and was the first school to teach deaf children using the oral method in the United States. This was also the first school to train their teachers in auditory and oral education. This schools specialty is in teaching deaf children how to use their Cochlear Implants (CIs) or hearing aids to help the child learn how to produce intelligible speech, and listen more accurately."

Popular Schools for the Deaf in Massachusetts
Beverly School for the Deaf

Clarke School for the Deaf

Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Learning Center for the Deaf (TLC)

Perkins School for the Blind (This school has a program for people who are Deafblind)

Newton North High School (Integrated program)

See also:
Education for the deaf

Schools for the deaf in the United States