U.S. Deaf Education Teacher Preparation Programs: A Look at the Present and a Vision for the Future

Numerous reports identify critical learning needs of deaf and hard of hearing students, but there is a growing recognition that these students' ability to achieve academic success is tied to the instructional effectiveness of teachers. Developments in deaf and hard of hearing education include (a) a shift toward educating students in local public schools; (b) a conceptual reorientation toward establishing effective learning environments; and (c) a critical, nationwide shortage of qualifi ed teachers. The result has been a growing acceptance of the need to examine and redesign the way teachers are prepared to educate deaf and hard of hearing students. The present article is an examination of key redesign issues.