Editorial

editorial Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Interpretation of the concept of the Least Restrictive Environment continues to be a primary issue in educating deaf children. The right of parents to make the decision about the choice of school for their children is rapidly eroding. Local school districts are assuming this right. The position of many local schools is that until they decide a deaf child needs a regional program, state residential school, or out-of-state placement , the parent and child must accept what is offered locally. Once the local jurisdictions acquires this kind of power they have a monopoly. When this monopolistic situation exists the quality of education tends to drop drastically. For example, "support services" for the deaf student may become no more than preferential seating. By the time parents fight through the cumbersome litigation options available to them under P.L. 94-142 years have been wasted. School systems have mastered these regulations. Thus, fighting local schools often results in massive bureaucratic delay and passive-aggressive resistance, all of which is conducted by the school personnel on taxpayers' time and money. Parents who choose to fight local schools in order to get some choice of educational program for their child must do so on their own time, usually (if they hope to win) they must also use their own money for attorneys. The Bush administration gives lip service to the value of competition, the right of choice, and even support for a voucher system for education. Until key positions in the Department of Education are filled, crucial decisions on LRE and other issues will remain in limbo. The appointments President Bush makes, especially those within the Department of Education , will go a long way to determine the fate of deaf children and adults over the next few years. The Gallaudet Protest Re-visited It has been more than a year since deaf people won their dramatic victory at Gallaudet University, the President, Dr. I. King Jordon, whom they fought successfully to have as their leader, is off to a good start. Dr. Jordan needs the support of the University faculty, the national deaf community, and professionals in the field of deafness if he is to succeed over the long run. Every appointment he makes has been scrutinized. There will be a small segment of the deaf community who will want only deaf people (often themselves) appointed to key positions regardless of competence. Similarly, there will be hearing persons making demands that top administrative spots go exclusively to hearing applicants (often themselves), the hiring rationale must be ability, not simply that the applicant can or cannot hear. However, sign language competence is a major aspect of ability in working with deaf students and faculty. Dr. Jordan and the other deaf presidential finalist, Dr. Harvey J. Corson, are both outstanding men. They care about deaf people, they know the issues, and they are capable of making Gallaudet University outstanding. Dr. Jordan was selected . The only way he will fail is if his own community of deaf people and professionals (hearing and deaf) in the field of deafness do not give him the support that he needs. McCay Vernon, Ph.D. Editor A.A.D. /March 1989 5 ...