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Division of Special Education » Deaf Education

Deaf Education

Deaf Education

The Deaf* Education Program serves eligible students with documented hearing differences that may impact their language, communication skills, and access to the core curriculum. Services are provided to students from ages 3 to 22 in Itinerant or Deaf Education Special Day Classes.

In accordance with the California Department of Education, The Los Angeles Unified School District

  • Accepts and respects all languages.
  • Accepts and respects all communication supports (i.e., ASL/English Interpreters, assistive listening devices, hearing technology, captioning, etc.).
  • Accepts and respects all educational approaches in the education of Deaf children (i.e., ASL, English, and students’ heritage languages).

A hearing difference is a low-incidence disability. California Education Code Section 56026.5 defines a low-incidence disability as “…a severe disabling condition with an expected incidence rate of less than one percent of the total statewide enrollment in kindergarten through grade 12. For purposes of this definition, severe disabling conditions are hearing impairments, vision impairments, and severe orthopedic impairments, or any combination thereof.” Additionally, Section 56000.5 (a)(2) finds and declares that “…Pupils with low incidence disabilities require highly specialized services, equipment, and materials.”

 

 

Deaf Education Programs
The Audiological Resource Unit (ARU) provides a comprehensive audiologic evaluation completed by an Educational Audiologist for any child from 3 to 22 years of age. District schools refer students to the ARU when there is a suspected hearing difference, a failed audiometric screening, or a teacher or parent concern regarding a student’s hearing ability. Members of the school’s multidisciplinary team who facilitate listening, learning, and communication access counsel students with hearing differences and their families regarding hearing levels and act as a liaison between outside agencies and schools. Additionally, the Educational Audiologists are part of the team that assesses students with suspected Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). The Educational Audiologists also provide Designated Instructional Services (DIS) to students receiving Deaf Education services in special day programs, provide consultative services to students receiving Deaf Education Itinerant Services, and provide support services and professional development relating to students’ hearing levels and hearing technology to students, teachers, families, and other school staff.
The Deaf Education Itinerant program consists of Teachers of the Deaf, Educational Audiologists, and ASL/English interpreters. Students receive specially designed instruction and services in general education classrooms, special day programs, special education centers, and Career and Transition Centers (CTC). Itinerant teachers focus on various skills based on an identified need (e.g., auditory skills development, self-advocacy, communication, language skills, Auditory Verbal Therapy/Listening and Spoken Language Intervention). Students are provided ASL/English interpreters and/or utilize personal and classroom hearing technology to access general education classes and extracurricular activities. Collaboration with general education teachers, school staff, and parents is essential. 

The LAUSD offers Special Day Programs to meet Deaf students’ unique language, communication, and hearing access needs. Teachers of the Deaf focus on developing receptive and expressive language skills in American Sign Language (ASL) and/or spoken/written English. All programs may incorporate speech, auditory training, reading, writing, and hearing technology, depending on the students’ needs.

ASL/English Bilingual (AEB) Special Day Program

  • Available at select elementary, middle school, and high school campuses and Marlton School

  • Core curriculum instruction

  • Modified core (alternate) curriculum instruction

  • Direct instruction through ASL with spoken English Interpreters

Day School for the Deaf

Marlton School is the only day school for the Deaf in California, offering a bilingual American Sign Language (ASL) and English program for Deaf students from preschool through age 22. The school also provides general education classes for all students, including a program for hearing students in grades TK–5. Marlton follows a curriculum aligned with ASL and Common Core Standards, focusing on developing 21st-century communication, academic, and life skills to prepare all students for college, careers, and independent living. Additionally, Marlton offers specialized classes with a modified core curriculum to meet the unique needs of each student.

Listening and Spoken English (LSE) Special Day Program

  • Available at select elementary and middle school campuses

  • Core curriculum instruction

  • Direct instruction through spoken English

Current Special Day Programs

The Deaf Education Learning Centers are housed on general education campuses where students have access to audiologic, academic, and Deaf peer support. This distinctive arrangement creates a “critical mass” of Deaf students in supportive peer groups and provides centralized resources to enhance the experience of our Deaf students.
Deaf Education Resources