Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum Languages topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EHS students urge board to add American Sign Language elective
Summary
Two Emmaus High School students asked the Penn School District board to add American Sign Language as a language elective, arguing it promotes cultural awareness and offers college and career benefits.
Two Emmaus High School students told the Penn School District board on Feb. 26 they would like American Sign Language (ASL) offered as a language elective.
Haley Hochstrasser and a fellow student identified only as Giselle said ASL is "deeply rooted in deaf community and its culture" and that learning ASL can foster awareness and sensitivity to people with hearing differences. They noted nationwide uptake for ASL in schools and argued the class could benefit students academically and professionally.
"American sign language is deeply rooted in deaf community and its culture," one student said, and the presenters noted that ASL is widely used and can enhance college applications and job opportunities.
The board acknowledged the comment as part of the public-comment period; no formal curriculum action on ASL was recorded in the meeting transcript.
