Deaf teachers losing jobs because of English

faire_jour said:
I don't agree. I had plenty of written assignments in my ASL classes. How are they going to deal with that?
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Written assignments for ASL classes? That's a new one to me. That means it must be ASL/English class then.
 
shel90 said:
Written assignments for ASL classes? That's a new one to me. That means it must be ASL/English class then.
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We had to write research papers for our ASL classes, too. Topics were usually about Deaf culture and history.

As evidenced by the many "survey" requests at AD by ASL students, apparently this is a common part of ASL classes.
 
Reba said:
We had to write research papers for our ASL classes, too. Topics were usually about Deaf culture and history.

As evidenced by the many "survey" requests at AD by ASL students, apparently this is a common part of ASL classes.
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Right..I didnt even think of that. I guess it has been so long since I have taken ASL classes and things must have changed then. Back then, there were no written examinations and we were required to present our reports thru the air to build our ASL skills. I guess in my head, writing reports kinda defeats the purpose of ASL classes but if the policies have changed since 10 years ago, then I guess things are different.

Usually most Deaf people have a pretty good command of English but cant write in perfect English sometimes but should the standards be the same for ASL instructors and Elementary Ed teachers?

I thought this thread was about teachers who teach in all content areas?
 
What is preventing this deaf teacher from learning what she needs to pass the test? This IS a two way street and hearing teachers are subject to testing standards. In fact all teachers should be subject to passing the required tests to maintain their jobs. I think it is a GOOD thing. The lack of certification could be part of the reasons there are inconsistancies in deaf ed as Shel mentioned.

Shel said:
I think this is more of an issue with Deaf educators since Deaf ed itself is not consistent
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Nobody likes to see deaf people lose jobs, particularly teachers. However, in Massachusetts, deaf teachers [update: in this case, a sign language teacher] who can not pass the state's English competency test for teachers are at risk of being let go. This test is required for teacher certification. According to the article in The Eagle-Tribune, so far the teachers have not been let go but it does beg the question, should an uncertified deaf teacher be permitted to continue teaching indefinitely?
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rockdrummer said:
What is preventing this deaf teacher from learning what she needs to pass the test? This IS a two way street and hearing teachers are subject to testing standards. In fact all teachers should be subject to passing the required tests to maintain their jobs. I think it is a GOOD thing. The lack of certification could be part of the reasons there are inconsistancies in deaf ed as Shel mentioned.
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I have so many friends who are deaf and are teachers who have struggled to pass the tests...they are like within 5 or less points away and their English are pretty good but the standards required by the certification are sooo high. I even failed it a few times myself and I dont think my English is that bad! They have studied, hired tutors, gone to classes, and etc etc but keep scored in the same range...5 or less points away from passing. They have spent thousands of dollars just to try to pass the tests..that's how much they love teaching but unfortunately, they wont get to teach much longer. One of them have brought almost all of her deaf students' reading levels up to grade level.

Just like that lady Deafbajagal described who kept scoring just barely below the passing scores but have had outstanding results with her students' scores. The lady ended up having to move so she can teach in another state.

I know many teachers who have passed the certifications who are some of the worst teachers around.
 
Not only I have spent hundreds of dollars on taking these tests a few times before passing and gone into debt so I could finish my schooling, I will need to come up with $6,000 to pay for 6 credits worth of grad level classes by the end of 2010 to keep my certification from expiring. With the state furloughing my pay, getting no raise this year and costs rising, how the f**ck am I going to come up with $6,000 just to keep my job? That's another issue...how shitty is that?

Makes me wonder if this job is really worth it?
 
The cycle of life:
Anyone can become a teacher.
Some teachers suck.
Certification tests were born to weed out the bad teachers.
Test is too hard.
Certification tests are made easier.
Anyone can become a teacher.
 
Daredevel7 said:
The cycle of life:
Anyone can become a teacher.
Some teachers suck.
Certification tests were born to weed out the bad teachers.
Test is too hard.
Certification tests are made easier.
Anyone can become a teacher.
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Not true...there are teachers who have no clue on how to teach who have passed the certification tests with flying colors...



To be able to teach, one must have the passion for it.
 
shel90 said:
I have so many friends who are deaf and are teachers who have struggled to pass the tests...they are like within 5 or less points away and their English are pretty good but the standards required by the certification are sooo high. I even failed it a few times myself and I dont think my English is that bad! They have studied, hired tutors, gone to classes, and etc etc but keep scored in the same range...5 or less points away from passing. They have spent thousands of dollars just to try to pass the tests..that's how much they love teaching but unfortunately, they wont get to teach much longer. One of them have brought almost all of her deaf students' reading levels up to grade level.

Just like that lady Deafbajagal described who kept scoring just barely below the passing scores but have had outstanding results with her students' scores. The lady ended up having to move so she can teach in another state.

I know many teachers who have passed the certifications who are some of the worst teachers around.
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Understood Shel..... But...... there are also many that do pass the test so it's not impossible. Some people need to study harder and more than others. Also if you fail the test then you should work on the areas where you are having problems. I really don't know what to say other than it is not impossible.

I know for me personally I have to study harder in some areas than others do. That's just how it is. I believe that no two people are alike with regard to their learning capabilities or learning styles. Some people just have to try harder. I understand what you are saying about those teachers bringing up the students reading levels and I think there should be some credit given for that however, I would have to question how far a teacher can bring a child along in English if they (the teachers) themselves can't pass an English competency test.
 
rockdrummer said:
Understood Shel..... But...... there are also many that do pass the test so it's not impossible. Some people need to study harder and more than others. Also if you fail the test then you should work on the areas where you are having problems. I really don't know what to say other than it is not impossible.

I know for me personally I have to study harder in some areas than others do. That's just how it is. I believe that no two people are alike with regard to their learning capabilities or learning styles. Some people just have to try harder. I understand what you are saying about those teachers bringing up the students reading levels and I think there should be some credit given for that however, I would have to question how far a teacher can bring a child along in English if they (the teachers) themselves can't pass an English competency test.
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How does one study for English? Especially if they are scoring within a few points away from the passing score and keep hitting that again and again?
 
shel90 said:
Right..I didnt even think of that. I guess it has been so long since I have taken ASL classes and things must have changed then. Back then, there were no written examinations and we were required to present our reports thru the air to build our ASL skills. I guess in my head, writing reports kinda defeats the purpose of ASL classes but if the policies have changed since 10 years ago, then I guess things are different.
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Late 1990's.


Usually most Deaf people have a pretty good command of English but cant write in perfect English sometimes but should the standards be the same for ASL instructors and Elementary Ed teachers?

I thought this thread was about teachers who teach in all content areas?
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Hearing teachers who use ASL when they teach should certainly be fluent in ASL. They should also be skilled in English use (sadly, they all are not).

Deaf teachers who use ASL should also be fluent in written English if any of the curriculum includes reading (text books, literature, student papers) or writing (preparing tests, sending notes home to parents, teaching English composition).

All teachers should have a well-rounded education and be fluent in their teaching language regardless of which "content" they specialize in.

IMO :)
 
Reba said:
Late 1990's.



Hearing teachers who use ASL when they teach should certainly be fluent in ASL. They should also be skilled in English use (sadly, they all are not).

Deaf teachers who use ASL should also be fluent in written English if any of the curriculum includes reading (text books, literature, student papers) or writing (preparing tests, sending notes home to parents, teaching English composition).

All teachers should have a well-rounded education and be fluent in their teaching language regardless of which "content" they specialize in.

IMO :)
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That's fine but yet, hearing teachers who are far less than fluent in ASL are being hired and are passing the certifications. What about that?
 
Also, there are questions relating to phonics in the certification tests. Heck, I remember coming across a question relating to how does a Southern accent sound. Of course I got that one wrong so if the teachers who are failing by few points are missing the questions that are based on knowledge of phonics, is that fair? IMO, I think it is biased...
 
shel90 said:
Also, there are questions relating to phonics in the certification tests. Heck, I remember coming across a question relating to how does a Southern accent sound. Of course I got that one wrong so if the teachers who are failing by few points are missing the questions that are based on knowledge of phonics, is that fair? IMO, I think it is biased...
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I don't think it's fair to draw any conclusions or speculate without knowing more details on what areas they are failing in. Why is it that many do pass the tests? Again, it's not impossible.
 
rockdrummer said:
I don't think it's fair to draw any conclusions or speculate without knowing more details on what areas they are failing in. Why is it that many do pass the tests? Again, it's not impossible.
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Are these failing are within by a few points or not?...that would be an issue. If they are failing miserably, then I can understand but almost all of my friends who are struggling have good English..good as mine or better but probably are failing due to the questions related to phonics.
 
rockdrummer said:
Are you as a teacher really asking me that question?
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Serious...how does one study English to improve it in a short time? One would need to read and read for English to improve but that can take years and most people dont have that long nor have the money...
 
shel90 said:
Are these failing are within by a few points or not?...that would be an issue. If they are failing miserably, then I can understand but almost all of my friends who are struggling have good English..good as mine or better but probably are failing due to the questions related to phonics.
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I don't know the exact details which is why I don't beleive it is fair to draw conclusions or speculate. Even if it is only by a few points what would you suggest they do? Lower the requirement for the few that can't pass the test? I agree that the testing has to be fair but again, many do pass it so it's not impossible.
 
rockdrummer said:
I don't know the exact details which is why I don't beleive it is fair to draw conclusions or speculate. Even if it is only by a few points what would you suggest they do? Lower the requirement for the few that can't pass the test? I agree that the testing has to be fair but again, many do pass it so it's not impossible.
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I would eliminate the phonics/sound section. That section was what caused me to fail the first few times.
 
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