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Deaf community member urges district to offer ASL in high school after hiring and certification issues
Summary
Darcy Zook, who is deaf, told the board she and families struggle with interpreter turnover and urged District 186 to offer American Sign Language in high schools; the superintendent said three ASL positions remain in the budget but certification requirements affect hiring.
Darcy Zook, a community member and University of Illinois Springfield student, told the Springfield Public Schools Board on Sept. 15 she and other families have faced persistent interpreter turnover and asked why American Sign Language is not offered in District 186 high schools.
“ASL should be offered as well,” Zook said, adding that families sometimes relocate because of shortages of certified interpreters and that offering ASL in schools could help address workforce shortages and create career pathways.…
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