The practices in this area rest on research. This list gathers the evidence connecting school climate to outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing students. The studies look at how belonging and a strong sense of identity build confidence and connection, how school placement affects students' quality of life, and how peer relationships and social ties support learning. Several also explore Deaf epistemology, which means the distinct ways Deaf people come to understand and experience the world. Use it to ground climate decisions and professional learning in evidence.
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An answer key facilitators use with a training activity, showing which school decisions truly need Deaf staff and community expertise, and why, so it is sought where it matters most.
A training slide deck staff use together to explore what a strong ASL/English school climate looks like, covering access, respect, Deaf expertise, and leadership, through discussion and scenarios.
An informational slide deck teams use to build shared understanding of what an exemplary ASL/English school climate looks like in practice; it is not an evaluation tool or checklist.