The Clerc Center will be in the forefront of these initiatives and be in a position to collaborate with other schools and programs across the nation to move education of deaf and hard of students to new and higher levels. Another technology-related initiative is KDES new cochlear implant center, coordinated by Debra Nussbaum, with classrooms located in the Preschool area. The center begins its program and services this year, and will surely present us with new opportunities to serve deaf and hard of children and their families. Our collaboration with other University departments who are involved with cochlear implant technology will be another exciting aspect of this program. Frank Turk, TecEd representative for Student Life, shows off his new computer skills during the week long training, August 21-25.
Literacy remains the number one priority for all deaf and hard of hearing students.
For the next two years, our literacy priority area is Guided Reading and Writing, which includes both instructional strategies and assessment. Literacy instruction and technology will be infused in such a way that can dramatically change the ways students and teachers interact and the way classrooms look and operate. I think, too, that we must always keep in mind that technology serves us. It is a tool to help us do the best jobs we can, but we are the keys to opening its many possibilities for students. In my new role as Provost, I will not be as close to you physically as before.