Section R277-304-8 - Deaf Education Preparation Programs(1) Before approval by the Board, a deaf education preparation program shall: (a) be operated by or partnered with a Utah institution of higher education or the Utah State Board of Education;(b) be aligned with the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Inc., Optimizing Outcomes for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Educational Service Guidelines, Third Edition;(c) be focused on one or more of the following areas:(i) teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing from birth to age five using both listening and spoken language strategies and American Sign Language;(ii) teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing with listening and spoken language strategies; or(iii) teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing with strategies that promote the development of American Sign Language and English literacy across the curriculum;(d) require the passage of a deaf education content knowledge assessment approved by the Superintendent;(e) require competency in: (i) the areas detailed in Subsections R277-304-4(4) through (7).(ii) legal and ethical issues surrounding special education, including: (B) the Special Education Rules Manual incorporated by reference in Section R277-750-2; and(C) all other applicable statutes and Board rules;(iii) addressing specific linguistic and cultural needs of deaf and hard of hearing students throughout the curriculum;(iv) skills for incorporating language into all aspects of the curriculum;(v) pedagogical skills unique to teaching reading, writing, mathematics, and other content areas to deaf and hard of hearing students;(vi) basic fluency in the use of American Sign Language;(vii) knowledge of the audiological and physiological components of audition;(viii) skills for teaching speech to deaf and hard of hearing students;(ix) the socio-cultural and psychological implications of hearing loss; and(x) assessing and addressing the educational needs and educational progress of deaf and hard of hearing students.(2) For a program candidate accepted after January 1, 2020, a deaf or hard of hearing education preparation program shall require multiple opportunities for a program candidate to successfully demonstrate application of knowledge and skills gained through the program in a school-based setting in each of the following:(a) all requirements outlined in Subsections R277-304-4(4) through (7);(b) for a program focused on Subsection R277-304-8(1)(c)(i): (i) assessing early childhood language development and assessment in American Sign Language and spoken English;(ii) working with families with students who are deaf or hard of hearing while respecting a variety of communication modalities;(iii) integrating language, speech, and listening everyday activities;(iv) sharing knowledge with families with students who are deaf or hard of hearing about the complexities of deaf culture, including norms and behaviors of the deaf community;(v) developing auditory perception in children and educating parents about developmental milestones for listening skills; and(vi) proficiency in American Sign Language as demonstrate by passing an assessment approved by the Superintendent;(c) for a program focused on Subsection R277-304-8(1)(c)(ii): (i) developing auditory perception in children and strategies for developing listening and spoken language in deaf and hard of hearing students;(ii) demonstrating understanding and expertise regarding early childhood spoken language development;(iii) involving family members with students who are deaf or hard of hearing in learning and therapeutic activities;(iv) integrating speech, listening, and spoken language in preschool and early elementary content areas; and(v) integrating current listening technology, including troubleshooting such technology; and(d) for a program focused on Subsection R277-304-8(1)(c)(iii): (i) integrating American Sign Language into instruction of core academic content for all school-age students;(ii) enhancing bilingual literacy of students who are deaf or hard of hearing in both American Sign Language and English;(iii) integrating respect and understanding of deaf culture into instruction;(iv) demonstrating understanding and expertise regarding American Sign Language, language development; and(v) proficiency in American Sign Language as demonstrated by passing an assessment approved by the Superintendent.Utah Admin. Code R277-304-8
Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2019-12, effective 5/23/2019Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-13, effective 6/22/2020Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2024-06, effective 3/11/2024Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2024-20, effective 10/8/2024