Taft Elementary School

I am concerned about the quality of Taft Elementary School's Deaf & Hard of Hearing program that supports students and their language proficiency. The program has two instruction approach components: Total Communication & Oral. Total Communication aims to use a number of modes of communication such as signed, oral, auditory, written & visual aids. Total Communication teachers sign an artificial signing system which is called Signing Exact English and speak English language. This method has been proved ineffective by research studies and hinge deaf students' language acquisition progress. Oral approach is to use lipreading, speech, and mimicking the mouth shapes and breathing patterns of speech. Teach deaf students at age 0 to 5 to hear and speak is not same as students to acquire a language regardless their hearing level and devices (e.g. cochlear implant & hearing aids) are used. There is a growing research studies show a spoken language, English does not ensure a deaf child's full access to a language at age 0 to 5. Research studies show that language deprivation and delay between ages 0-5 is the major cause of many deaf children's cognitive development, academic performance and social/emotional struggles. The type of language-rich environment and quality of interaction to which children acquire in the first five years of life greatly affect the outcomes in their academic performance and later in their adult lives. By 5 year old, a child's brain is already at 90% developed. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing program offers an early start service and resources. One of their services is working with the specialists which related to speech and auditory aspect. Their early start service does not provide an American Sign Language specialist or a language development psychologist. Language deprivation is a neurological emergency. Auditory deprivation is a difference in sensory experience. I reconsider about the quality of my child's education at Taft Elementary School.

This school did not leave a good taste in my mouth. Needs improvement in everything from the principal to staff. Really need to raise thier standards. Really disappointed with this school. Pulled my kids out of there.

An Excellent School. Great Teachers that have a great deal of love and patience to our children. They also provide a place for children with special needs. I am eternally thankful for all that they do for our kids. I encourage for all parents to be more involved so that our children can become a success in the future. Thank you Taft Elementary School Staff/Team for all that you do.

The school is very good I have two kids here Im happy with the progres of my kids . The teachers are excelend . Even when they have to many kids in each class room. They do the best they can do it.