Considerations in the School Placement of Deaf Students:
Providing a (More) Rational Basis
The most significant consideration that can be made by any public school system regarding the education of a deaf or hard-of-hearing student is where that student will be placed. Depending upon the time and location of entry into the public school system, the amount of information available on such children will be varied, often incomplete, and will be discussed and reviewed by generalists. They may or may not possess the expertise to conduct the appropriate diagnostic procedures and to integrate those data in order to determine an appropriate placement.
The need to integrate the research and related technological advances to the practice is essential. The provider system has not enhanced its level of practice to sufficiently maximize the benefits of those efforts to the diagnostic and placement process.