Hiring Criteria, Duties, and Professional Growth Opportunities for Residential Staff at Schools for the Deaf: A Survey

Seventy-three schools identifying themselves as having a residential program for deaf students were surveyed to determine demographic information about dormitory staff, qualifications required for employment in the residential program, opportunities for continuing education, and issues relating to the roles and responsibilities of dorm employees. The data showed that schools are committed to providing in-service education for the dorm workers but have minimal educational requirements for employment in their residential programs. The data were compared to the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) Certification Requirements for Dormitory Counselors. Recommendations are made in regard to the updating of the CEASD certification requirements; the authors also recommend that schools make a stronger commitment to upholding those requirements.