Actually Grendel, I am wondering if maybe the high acheivements that you and faire joure are seeing are due to the fact that the students started out in Deaf Schools and or got the appropreate early intervention. Like say dhh kids who are in inclusive settings or general early intervention preschools (ie headstart), like the ones who don't have access to Deaf Schools or programs may not be doing as well, b/c they are not getting dhh specialized ed services. Also, not to be a downer or anything, but just b/c a kid is doing well early on, it does not predict future acheivement. It's very common for dhh kids (of all stripes) to do well early on in the mainstream, and then start struggling around fourth grade. Not to mention middle and high school. I DO think that with the revamping and improvements that Deaf Schools are making (ie being hoh/CI friendly) that we may see some sucessful mainstreamers heading back to the Deaf Schools. I mean, although some hearing/mainstream schools are really good at giving accomondations, it can be HELL trying to get good or decent accomondations from other ones. ...heck most of the time, those of us who are dhh or otherwise classicly disabled get lumped in with the Resource Room kids. Not to mention that there can be severe bullying in mainstream schools.
I know too that in states with really bad mainstream special ed, the Deaf Schools tend to be really good. .....I also think many hearing parents may be under the impression that Deaf Schools/programs are worse then they actually are.....like they're still something out of the 40s or 50's.
Also, it does seem like mainstreaming is very polictical. Like the admin will grudgingly accept the special ed studets, b/c they bring extra money! But, try to get more then minimal accomondations (especially at a school that may not have a formal dhh or other specialized program) and they scream and fight.
