Program identity is a school's Deaf-centered character, the sense that this is a place built by and for Deaf people. Use this checklist as you walk the building to see whether that identity is real and consistent. It prompts you to look for Deaf role models who are present and engaged, Deaf culture and history reflected in shared spaces, ASL used naturally in every setting, strong ties to the Deaf community, and students taking on leadership and advocacy roles. Use what you notice to name strengths and plan coaching that moves the whole program toward exemplary bilingual practice.
Because of your selected audience type, you may also enjoy the following related resources.
A guide school leaders can use to strengthen their program's Deaf-centered identity, its Deaf role models, ASL use, and Deaf culture, with next steps for each stage of growth.
Transformative practices in deaf education centered on bilingual learning, equity, and student-centered innovation, and how educators and families adapted after the pandemic.
A facilitator's cheat sheet used to lead the student leadership growth activity, with prompts, norms, and gentle redirects for each of its four steps.