Assessment and Communication

When planning for assessment of a student with hearing loss, what considerations should you keep in mind? Should you use only tests designed for this population? Why or Why not? 

You should keep in mind a number of things when assessing a student with hearing loss. First you need to make sure that the test is age appropriate or appropriate for the student's level of functioning. You need to make sure that they have the language to understand what is being asked of them. (Are they strict American Sign Language users or do they understand the written language used in the assessment?) Then you need to look at what is being asked of them and decide if they will require any accommodations in order to access the information the same way as their typically hearing peers. Maybe there is a audio recording that you read aloud instead of play. Or maybe the child will need to have the test questions read to them or signed to them. There are so many things you need to think of so that the child has a fair opportunity to succeed on the test as their peers will.

I don't think you should only use tests designed for students with hearing loss. First of all it is good to see where they are compared to their hearing peers. That is the goal. Second, there are not many tests that are normed for deaf or hard of hearing kids.

Communicating with teachers and staff is a vital part of Deaf Education. Do you think face-to-face is better or email? Why and how do you plan to communicate with staff? 

I think face-to-face is better personally. I feel that there needs to be a working relationship between the deaf educator and other staff and teachers so that everyone is focused on doing the best for the students. Face to face allows for a more personable relationship, though you don't want to be in their room and in their face all of the time. If you have a quick question or something that can be completed through a quick email then that is fine. But if you are talking about how the child is doing, or what the lessons will be for the week, etc an email would not be the best way. I plan on communicating regularly with the other staff that work with my students through email and face to face communication. We will be doing push in and push out type lessons throughout and all of this requires cooperation from all teachers and staff working with the child. It is also important to keep communication open on a regular basis so that the skills being worked on and the behavior techniques are consistent across all settings for the child.