Task force recommends targeted supports, parent advisory council for Kansas School for the Deaf

Topeka — A task force focused on the Kansas School for the Deaf presented a set of recommendations to the State Board of Education emphasizing specialized curriculum, transition goals, parent engagement and teacher recruitment.

Lisa Carney, the task-force chair and a KSDE education program consultant, told the board the group—s recommendations reflect input from parents, teachers and school administrators. She flagged reading and math curriculum adapted for deaf and hard-of-hearing students as a priority because resources specific to these learners are limited nationally. "All of the KISA fundamentals go right along with this," she said, urging structured literacy and high-quality instructional practices adapted to visual/aural access needs.

Other recommendations included clearer transition planning (KSDE requires transition goals beginning at age 14 but task-force members urged earlier and more detailed planning), improvements to KSDE web resources and establishing a standing parent advisory council to keep parents, staff and board members connected. The task force also recommended strategies for recruiting and retaining teachers trained to work with deaf and hard-of-hearing students, noting this is a low-incidence specialization that is difficult to staff.

Board members supported creating an advisory council and discussed folding existing site-council compliance requirements into the parent advisory structure to avoid duplication. KSDE staff said they will update web resources and follow up on logistics for advisory membership and meeting cadence.