Program Identity Leadership Guide

A school's program identity is its Deaf-centered character: how visibly and consistently it affirms deaf and hard of hearing students' language, culture, and sense of who they are. Building it is a leadership and systems responsibility, not the work of individual staff. This guide helps leaders strengthen it over time, with next steps matched to where a program stands today. Early on, leaders name the core elements, such as Deaf role models, ASL use across the school, Deaf culture in shared spaces, community ties, and student leadership, and take stock of how well each shows up. As programs grow, they expand Deaf representation, formalize community partnerships, and embed these goals into their strategic plans. Use it to guide coaching, planning, and long-term improvement.