Education Programs: K–12 Day Schools

Students who are deaf have a variety of educational opportunities today. Historically, the deaf were educated in residential schools; however, the passage of Public Law 94-142 changed the face of American education for the Deaf. Today, students are included in the local public classroom with modifications and adaptations provided through special education services and the law. These changes have increased an interest in day schools and provided a transitional setting between the once customary residential school setting with a hearty deaf culture, and the general public school setting where students are integrated and educated with same-age peers.

Day schools have become a popular choice for many families of children who are deaf. Day schools allow students to remain within a closer range to their primary community that is often closer to home. Residential schools were often miles away and offered in limited numbers. Children were often separated from their families when these facilities were utilized. The day school is the way many deaf students are educated; it has provided more viable choices for families. Residential schools remain a choice for many families today; however, the day school has allowed accommodations and modifications to be utilized in a child’s education specific to the needs of deaf students without leaving home for lengthy periods of time away from family.

Today, day schools for students who are deaf are accessible throughout the United States. Families are offered a broad range of services that meet the needs of their child. Students are educated in a facility that continues the Deaf culture, but allows students to remain a part of their families’ home environment. They attend classes during the day and remain in the home with family on a nightly basis. Years ago, such options were unavailable for many families.

One such day school is the Lexington School for the Deaf in Jackson, New York. It was founded in 1865, and is the largest school for deaf students in [Page 363]New York state. Lexington prepares all students to continue on to college, vocational education, job training, or a placement that will support them to live a responsible, productive life. The school educates deaf children ages 0–21. The students come from five boroughs, and many have disabilities such as physical and or cognitive delays, in addition to deafness.

The Lexington school is unique due to its innovative teaching model, called Mediated Learning Experience (MLE). This model stresses the importance of using an adult as a mediator through multiple learning experiences. The child, teacher, and parents are provided with a theoretical framework with consistency of expectations. Lexington students attest to the effectiveness of MLE, as standardized test scores also show improvements in educational attainment of deaf students.

Lexington School and Center for the Deaf comprises the Lexington School for the Deaf, the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center, Lexington Vocational Services, and the Lexington Center for Mental Health. The Lexington School and Center for the Deaf provides education and services to about 2,500 deaf people annually.

Lexington is the only school in the United States designated as an Authorized Training Center in the use of the mediated learning model, providing training for professionals in Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment (IE) Program. IE is a cognitive curriculum with the aim of enhancing the student’s ability to learn effectively in meaningful and multiple learning scenarios.

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