What is mainstreaming in regard to Deaf Education?
Mainstreaming is the practice of placing deaf* children into the "mainstream" of
public schools instead of placing them into residential schools for the Deaf or
other Deaf-focused programs. Many culturally Deaf individuals oppose
mainstreaming because even though the deaf child is surrounded by other students
-- the child may actually end up experiencing increased isolation and loneliness
due to communication barriers than the child would experience if taught in a
program specifically designed for and populated by deaf students.
Related concepts:
* There was a law passed called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA).
* The IDEA requires states to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE)
to students with disabilities.
* The IDEA contains rules that require states to educate students with
disabilities in the "Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)."
* Many "Hearing" people feel that the least restrictive environment is in a
mainstream public school.
* Most culturally Deaf people feel that the least restrictive environment is in
a residential school for the Deaf or a program designed specifically for and
populated by deaf students.
Notes:
* deaf: The word "deaf" is
being used lowercase here to refer to physically deaf children -- who may or
may not be culturally Deaf
Also see:
The ASL sign for: MAINSTREAM
Topic: "Mainstreaming: Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Children in Public Schools"
Topic: "The Debate on
Mainstreaming"
Topic: "Mainstream Deaf Education"