Staff Qualifications and Professional Expertise Tip Sheet

In an ASL/English bilingual program, being qualified means more than holding the right credential. Use this tip sheet to check whether staff have the qualifications, expertise, and ASL proficiency their roles require. It describes five marks of exemplary practice: employing fully qualified and appropriately certified staff; matching each person's expertise to their assigned responsibilities; making sure ASL proficiency fits the communication and instructional demands of the role; evaluating ASL skill with formal tools or onsite observation by native or fluent signers; and supporting ongoing growth in bilingual education and Deaf-centered practice. Use it to guide hiring, assignments, and professional learning.