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Springfield SD 186 reports strong initial interest in American Sign Language; district to post teacher openings
Summary
Superintendent and staff said about 50 students at each of the district's three high schools selected American Sign Language as an elective; district staff said ASL will count toward the state’s world language graduation requirement and the district plans to post at least two positions.
Springfield SD 186 staff told the Board of Education on Feb. 18 that American Sign Language (ASL) is trending as a new elective across the district’s three high schools, with roughly 50 students at each building requesting the course.
Nut graf: The district said ASL will be offered as an elective that can fulfill the state’s world-language graduation requirement, creating a new pathway for students who prefer ASL to meet the two-year language-credit rule for graduation. District leaders said they expect to post at least two ASL teacher positions to meet demand.
Dr. Thurman told the board that students had selected “advanced sign language” as part of their course-selection forms and that current course-request totals show about 50 students per high school, with final numbers to be confirmed when all forms are processed. Gina (surname not specified) said those counts would be firmed up by the end of the month and that, at a minimum, two class sections per building would be required at current levels.
On teacher qualifications, staff said there is not yet a single, direct state licensure path for ASL teachers. Dr. Thurman said the district would look for candidates with classroom experience and, where available, interpreting experience or prior testing that demonstrates competence.
Superintendent Gill and staff noted that Illinois accepts ASL to satisfy the state world-language requirement, and board members praised teachers and administrators for preparing curriculum and outreach. Staff said the district will begin the contractual posting process and work with human resources to open positions while honoring required posting rules.
Ending: District staff said they will return with final enrollment counts and a posting plan; the board did not take an immediate formal vote on course adoption or hiring at the Feb. 18 meeting.
