I am aware that DeafRead does not publish posts that have emails in it – but this is an extraordinary situation, and this is an email between two public officials, which can be FOIA’ed [Freedom of Information Act]. This is a public record, and illuminates MSU’s TRUE rationale for closing the Deaf Education program. So I am asking DeafRead to please publish this post for these reasons.
From: Carole Ames [mailto:cames@msu.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 9:36 AM
To: Flanagan, Mike (MDE)
Subject: Closure of Deaf Education
Mike,
I know you are getting copied on lots of emails protesting the
recommended closure of our deaf education certification program and
ASL courses. I have attached a document that outlines our rationale
for discontinuing deaf education as a certification area. Basically,
the enrollment is low, Eastern Michigan has a much larger special
education program but also low enrollment in Deaf Education and they
will accept more. The philosophical difference between deaf
education that is ASL based vs. oral/auditory based is playing a
major role in this protest. Because most children who are born deaf
are born to hearing parents, because deafness is identified at birth,
because cochlear implants are recommended–the oral/auditory programs
have much more viability in terms of teacher preparation.
There are many institutions in MI that offer ASL and many train
interpreters and translators so there is no shortage in this area.
In MI as well as 38 other states, there is not a shortage of teachers
certified in deaf education.
All of this is outlined on the attached document. I just wanted you
to have the information. Please let me know if you have any
questions or need clarification. Cass is also available to answer
questions.
FYI–there will be a sizeable rally at the administration building at
MSU this Friday. I don’t know how all this will play out but wanted
you to know.
We are not abandoning special education and in fact, we want to build
those areas (especially autism) where the incidence is high and the
demand is high.
Thanks.
–
Carole Ames
Dean
College of Education
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48823
———–
It is my personal opinion that Dean Ames’ email reeks of audism, and many of her claims are false. I find it ironic that she claims there’s an increased demand for ASL interpreters, then turns around and claims there’s also an increased demand for AVT teachers. That is completely contradictory, not to mention irrelevant.
There still is, and ALWAYS will be a need for teachers of the deaf who are proficient in ASL. and I dare Dean Ames to provide statistics to show there is NOT a shortage of deaf education teachers who are proficient in ASL!
I am asking all of you, the readers, and all deaf organizations across the nation, to please, if you are able to, attend this rally tomorrow on MSU’s campus in East Lansing, Michigan. It is at the Hannah Administration Building from 10 am to noon, but it may run longer than 2 hours – depending on how many people show up and the rally speakers.
If you cannot attend, then please send emails to the following people (and those who are in MI, please also email your legislators):
presmail@msu.edu – Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon, MSU President
kwilcox@msu.edu – Dr. Kim Wilcox, MSU Provost
cames@msu.edu – Dr. Carol Ames, MSU College of Education Dean
dbyrum@byrumfisk.com – MSU Board of Trustees
FLANAGANM@MICHIGAN.GOV– Mike Flanagan, Superintendent of Public Instruction
PDF List of MI Board of Education Members’ Emails
Find Your Michigan Representatives
Blog posts about this topic:
Closure of MSU’s Deaf Education Program
National Shortage of Deaf Ed Teachers Exacerbated
Rally To Keep Deaf Education Program & ASL Classes @ MSU
Message From MSU Student On Deaf Education Rally
Rally Update: Show Your Support By Wearing Green
FACEBOOK GROUP TO SAVE MSU’S DEAF EDUCATION PROGRAM
Keep shining a light on this!
i second Bill!
Are you going/?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bill Creswell and Jeannette Johnson, ccmovies.org. ccmovies.org said: You need to read and respond, to MSU's Rationale For Closing Deaf Ed Program http://wp.me/p2Xrp-a3 [...]
It has been always unnecessary ongoing pendulum of going to the extreme when we Deaf and Hoh folks are always around in the middle and really do better with both languages.
If trainers of teachers of Deaf/Hoh need more specific training, all they need is to take few courses to be updated and ALL of them should know ASL at least and most for those who work with more children who DO NOT HAVE FULL ACCESS to auditory language. They are most endanger in the whole situation, their basic human rights to having full accessible language is either hovering or out of their reach.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by deafpundit: MSU’s Rationale For Closing Deaf Ed Program: http://wp.me/p2Xrp-a3...
Mel, I need to talk to my classmates first. I’m gonna try my best to be there.
Anne Marie, I agree 100% with you. That’s why I am encouraging everyone to speak out … they need to hear and see this!
Don’t forget to link to the facebook event page for the Rally details http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186125242180&index=1
And vote up the articles on deafread that did not make it to the front page http://www.deafread.com/extra/t/all
Added the link – thanks!
[...] This post was Twitted by deafread [...]
I’m floored. Basically, what they’re doing is deciding beforehand what the parents will be choosing (They’re assuming). While I support all avenues, I still feel that parents should be well informed before making decisions. What this will do is encourage more parents to opt for one over another based on available quality program. I do wonder, OTOH, If they had tried to cut oral program, would any of you protest this? Both programs certification should be left intact. Not all children with CI will do well in AVT/Oral program as is evidenced elsewhere in other states.
Gina, no I wouldn’t protest it, because EMU offers that program. AND if other universities had the ASL option, I also would not be protesting this.
A comment, which I didn’t publish, asked for statistics and facts.
So here you go.
http://aslthinktank.com/files/TOMCI.pdf
http://aslthinktank.com/files/CumminsASL-Eng.pdf
[...] [...]
Don G,
I’m not publishing your comment, because you insulted me.
[...] Johnson’s blog, http://deafpundit.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/msus-rationale-for-closing-deaf-ed-program/ , asking us to write letters and spread the word about MSU’s closure of the Deaf Education [...]
Please see my new post about the SBE’s resolution – so if you are writing in letters/emails, please send them to MSU, since the State is already on our side now.
Thanks!
Jeannette,
I am suporting your cause and will write to the people whose email addresses
you have laid out above.
I hope you and your fellow Michigans will win the battle.
Thanks Jean.
But this is not MY cause. This is the MI Deaf’s cause. I’m just the PR person, really. There are many, many individuals working on this! And of course, the 5 thousand emails to the gov’t contributed greatly to this cause.
So it cannot be done without all of these individuals and your emails.
[...] If you have not sent in a letter yet, please send one to the MSU president, provost and Board of Trustees. Their contact information can be found here. [...]
I sent a letter to the president of MSU; I just started my application to the program and was not aware of all the drama! They better not drop this program– as far as Eastern’s program one has to get a whole master degree, the endorsement for educators with a master degree already is not an option. Nor is online/groups classes. I hope this program is not stopped!! Thanks for all you do to promote awareness. Harold pointed me to the posts on youtube–thanks for all you have done!