Section 28.220  Standards for the Teacher of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

 

By October 1, 2025, all candidates for an endorsement in Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be required to complete a program aligned to the Initial Specialty Set for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (2018), published by the Council for Exceptional Children, 2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 1000, Arlington VA 22202-3557, and available at https://exceptionalchildren.org/standards/specialty-sets-specific-practice-areas. (No later amendments to or editions of these guidelines are incorporated.) The standards effective until September 30, 2025 are as follows:

 

a)         Foundations – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands the philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and is able to incorporate this knowledge within the context of the educational system.

 

1)         Knowledge – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands:

 

A)        current educational definitions of students with hearing loss, including identification criteria, labeling issues, and current incidence and prevalence figures;

 

B)        models, theories, and philosophies (e.g., bilingual-bicultural, total communication, oral/aural) that provide the basis for educational practices for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, as consistent with program philosophy;

 

C)        variations in beliefs, traditions, and values across cultures and within society, and the effect of the relationships among children who are deaf or hard of hearing, their families, and schooling;

 

D)        issues in definitions and identification procedures for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing (e.g., cultural versus medical perspective);

 

E)        rights and responsibilities of parents, students, teachers, and schools as they relate to students who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

F)         the impact of various educational placement options (from the perspective of the needs of any given child who is deaf or hard of hearing and consistent with program philosophy) with regard to cultural identity and linguistic, academic, and social-emotional development.

 

2)         Performance – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing:

 

A)        applies understanding of theory, philosophy, and models of practice to the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

B)        articulates pros and cons of current issues and trends in special education and the field of education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

C)        identifies the major contributors to the growth and improvement of knowledge and practice in the field of education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

b)         Characteristics of Learners – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands the impact that disabilities have on the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and communication development of an individual and creates opportunities that support the communication, intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.

 

1)         Knowledge – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands:

 

A)        communication features (visual, spatial, tactile, or auditory) salient to the learner who is deaf or hard of hearing that are necessary to enhance cognitive, emotional, and social development;

 

B)        research in cognition related to children who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

C)        cultural dimensions that being deaf or hard of hearing may add to the life of a child;

 

D)        various etiologies of hearing loss that can result in additional sensory, motor, or learning differences in students who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

E)        the effects of families or primary caregivers on the overall development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

F)         the effects that onset of loss, age of identification, and provision of services have on the development of the child who is deaf or hard of hearing;

 

G)        the impact of early comprehensible communication on the academic, linguistic, and social/emotional development of the child who is deaf or hard of hearing;

 

H)        that deafness or hearing loss alone does not necessarily preclude normal academic development, cognitive development, or communication ability;

 

I)         differences in quality and quantity of incidental language/learning experiences that children who are deaf or hard of hearing may experience;

 

J)         the effects of sensory input on the development of language and cognition of children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

K)        the structure and function of auditory systems, audiological assessments, and auditory interventions, including but not limited to hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive technology, and auditory training.

 

2)         Performance – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing develops a descriptive profile of a student who is deaf or hard of hearing.

 

c)         Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands the educational assessment process and utilizes various assessment strategies to support the continuous development of all students.

 

1)         Knowledge – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands:

 

A)        specialized terminology used in assessment of children who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

B)        the components of an adequate evaluation for eligibility, placement, and program planning (e.g., interpreters, special tests) decisions for students who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

C)        the legal provisions, regulations, and guidelines regarding unbiased diagnostic assessment and use of instructional assessment measures with students who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

D)        the special policies regarding referral and placement procedures (i.e., Federal Policy Guidance, October 30, 1992, published by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, and available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/

hq9806.html; no later amendments to or editions of this guidance are incorporated by this rule) for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

2)         Performance – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing:

 

A)        administers appropriate assessment tools using the natural/native/preferred language of the student who is deaf or hard of hearing;

 

B)        gathers and analyzes communication samples from students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including nonverbal as well as linguistic acts; and

 

C)        uses exceptionality-specific assessment instruments (e.g., SAT-HI, TERA-DHH, FSST) appropriate for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

d)         Instructional Content and Practice – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.  The teacher understands instructional planning and designs instruction based on knowledge of the discipline, students, community, and curriculum goals.

 

1)         Knowledge – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands:

 

A)        sources of specialized materials for students who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

B)        components of the nonlinguistic and linguistic communication that students who are deaf or hard of hearing use;

 

C)        the procedures and technologies required to educate students who are deaf or hard of hearing under one or more of the existing modes or philosophies;

 

D)        information related to American Sign Language (ASL) and existing communication modes or philosophies (consistent with program philosophy);

 

E)        current theories of how language (e.g., ASL and English) develop in both children who are hearing and those who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

F)         subject matter and practice used in general education across content areas;

 

G)        ways to facilitate cognitive and communicative development in students who are deaf or hard of hearing (e.g., visual saliency) consistent with program philosophy;

 

H)        techniques of stimulation and use of residual hearing, based upon interpretation of audiological evaluation, in students who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

I)         research-supported instructional strategies and practices for teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

J)         techniques/methods to develop speech skills for children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

K)        techniques/methods to address the unique needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and have additional needs (e.g., behavioral concerns, autism) or disabilities (e.g., cognitive delay, autism).

 

2)         Performance – the competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing:

 

A)        demonstrates proficiency in the languages used for instructing students who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

B)        demonstrates the basic characteristics of various existing communication modes used with students who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

C)        selects, designs, produces, and utilizes media, materials, and resources required to educate students who are deaf or hard of hearing under one or more of the existing modes or philosophies (e.g., bilingual-bicultural, total communication, aural/oral);

 

D)        infuses speech skills into academic areas as consistent with the mode or philosophy espoused and the ability of the student who is deaf or hard of hearing;

 

E)        modifies the instructional process and classroom environment to meet the physical, cognitive, cultural, and communication needs of the child who is deaf or hard of hearing (e.g., teacher's style, acoustic environment, and availability of support services and appropriate technologies);

 

F)         facilitates independent communication behavior in children who are deaf or hard of hearing;

 

G)        applies first and second language teaching strategies (i.e., English through ASL or ESL) appropriate to the needs of the individual student who is deaf or hard of hearing and consistent with program philosophy;

 

H)        demonstrates the ability to modify incidental language experiences to fit the visual and other sensory needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

I)         designs and implements appropriate strategies and activities to maximize literacy skills in children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

e)         Planning and Managing the Teaching and Learning Environment – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

 

1)         Knowledge – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands:

 

A)        deaf cultural factors that may influence classroom management of students who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

B)        model programs, including career-vocational and transition that have been effective for students with hearing losses.

 

2)         Performance – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing:

 

A)        manages assistive/augmentative devices appropriate for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in learning environments;

 

B)        selects, adapts, and implements classroom management strategies for students who are deaf or hard of hearing that reflect understanding of each child's cultural needs, including a primarily visual deaf culture where appropriate;

 

C)        designs a classroom environment that maximizes opportunities for visually oriented or auditory learning in students who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

D)        plans and implements instruction for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and who have multiple disabilities and special needs.

 

f)         Managing Student Social Interaction Skills – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands processes and opportunities for interaction and prepares students to interact in a variety of communication situations.

 

1)         Knowledge – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands:

 

A)        processes for establishing ongoing interactions of students who are deaf or hard of hearing with peers and role models who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

B)        opportunities for interaction with communities of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing on the local, State, and national levels.

 

2)         Performance – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing teaches students who are deaf or hard of hearing to use interpreters appropriately in social situations.

 

g)         Communication and Collaborative Partnerships – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing uses knowledge of effective written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction among professionals, parents, paraprofessionals, and students.

 

1)         Knowledge – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands:

 

A)        available resources to help parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing deal with their concerns regarding educational options and communication modes/philosophies for their children;

 

B)        the roles and responsibilities of teachers and support personnel in educational practice for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (e.g., educational interpreters, tutors, and note-takers);

 

C)        the effects of communication on the development of family relationships and strategies used to facilitate communication in families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

D)        services provided by governmental and non-governmental agencies or individuals in the ongoing management of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

2)         Performance – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing:

 

A)        teaches students who are deaf or hard of hearing to use support personnel effectively (e.g., educational interpreters, tutors, and note-takers);

 

B)        facilitates communication between the child who is deaf or hard of hearing and the student's family or other caregivers; and

 

C)        facilitates coordination of support personnel (e.g., interpreters) to meet the diverse communication needs of the student who is deaf or hard of hearing and the student's primary caregivers.

 

h)         Professionalism and Ethical Practices – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands teaching as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.

 

1)         Knowledge – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing understands:

 

A)        the process for acquiring the needed skills in modes/philosophies of education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing in which an individual was not prepared; and

 

B)        consumer and professional organizations, publications, and journals relevant to the field of education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

2)         Performance – The competent teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing:

 

A)        seeks interaction with adults in the deaf community to maintain/improve ASL, English signs, or cues as consistent with program philosophy;

 

B)        demonstrates the ability to interact with a variety of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing on an adult-to-adult level;

 

C)        provides families with the knowledge and skills to make appropriate choices needed to enhance the development and transition of their children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and

 

D)        participates in the activities of professional organizations relevant to the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 14843, effective November 10, 2021)