School Accountability Report Card

Reported for School Year 2008-09

Published During 2008-09

School

District

School Name

Oralingua School for the Hearing Impaired

District Name

N/A

Street

7056 S. Washington Avenue

Phone Number

N/A

City, State, Zip

Whittier, CA 90602

Web Site

www.oralingua.org

Phone Number

562-945-8391

Superintendent

N/A

Principal

Linda D. Hyde

E-mail Address

N/A

E-mail Address

Info@oralingua.org

N/A

N/A

The Mission of Oralingua School for the Hearing Impaired is to immerse children who are deaf or hard of hearing in a language-rich environment that promotes listening skills, spoken language, problem solving and social interaction that will enable them to function effectively in society while supporting their families who share those goals.

We believe that children are natural learners especially in the early years, and learn best in a socially interactive and experience oriented environment. Spoken language is modeled and encouraged throughout the day in all settings and audition is emphasized utilizing auditory verbal techniques. 

            Oralingua provides traditional classroom instruction for K through 4^th grade.   We offer the following additional services:  Parent-Infant tutoring, speech and language therapy, aural habilitation, auditory verbal therapy, occupational therapy, parent education and counseling, Audiological services, new student assessments, toddler and preschool classes, individual tutoring and support for mainstreamed alumni.

            Academic materials and goals are adapted from local district and state guidelines. Language, academics, social interaction and cognitive skills are designed to support skills expected in educational settings for typically developing peers.  We firmly believe that parents must be partners in the progress of their children and Parent participation is strongly encouraged and welcomed.

Parents are an integral part of the education process at Oralingua.  Cooperation between home and school is vital to each student’s progress.  Parents are expected to reinforce what has been discussed and taught in the classroom.     Participation in school activities, the classroom, fundraising events and attendance at school meetings are part of the requirements for enrollment in Oralingua School for the Hearing Impaired.  Morning and evening meetings are organized as detailed below:

MORNING MEETINGS

Morning Parent meetings provide both parent education and parent support for families and are conducted every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month. Topics such as developing good listening skills, acquisition of natural language, cognition, social interaction, speech, behavioral issues, family dynamics and other topics are discussed in a relaxed environment.  Our aim is to promote a clearer understanding of issues impacting hearing impaired children and their families.  These meetings are led by various staff members or guest speakers.

PARENT EDUCATION

 All group sessions present information specific to Oralingua’s curriculum, the needs of children with hearing loss, or child development issues. They are often modified to address the needs and interests of the group.  Equally important is the parent’s responsibility to work closely with instructors to understand the goals and objectives written specifically for their child.  Regularly scheduled group meetings assist parents who are expected to reinforce student objectives at home.  Parent/Infant education is ongoing as part of the parent-infant therapy sessions, and includes parent recognition of communication and developmental patterns that are shared with your child’s therapist.  These sessions may be extended to group meetings when appropriate.

PARENT SUPPORT

Parent Support Group is a part of regularly scheduled morning meetings.  The group is conducted by a licensed clinical social worker.  Parents are encouraged to talk about problems introduced by the group leader or participants, ask for advice, and offer encouragement to fellow parents as part of the group.  Individual conferences with group leader are also encouraged as requested or on a regular basis.

EVENING PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS

Parents and staff gather in the evening once a month for Parent/Teacher meetings.  Usually held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the school, these meetings bring families together to discuss information regarding curriculum areas and requirements for children with hearing loss, as well as fundraising events and other activities of the school.

Grade Level

Number of Students

Grade Level

Number of Students

Kindergarten

6

Grade 8

N/A

Grade 1

14

Ungraded Elementary

12

Grade 2

6

Grade 9

N/A

Grade 3

4

Grade 10

N/A

Grade 4

5

Grade 11

N/A

Grade 5

N/A

Grade 12

N/A

Grade 6

N/A

Ungraded Secondary

N/A

Grade 7

N/A

Total Enrollment

47

Group

Percent of

Total Enrollment

Group

Percent of

Total Enrollment

African American

%.04

White (not Hispanic)

%32

American Indian or Alaska Native

0

Multiple or No Response

%.04

Asian

%.05

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged

Not collected

Filipino

%.05

English Learners

2

Hispanic or Latino

%58

Students with Disabilities

56

Pacific Islander

0

N/A

N/A

Grade

Level

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Avg.

Class

Size

Number of

Classrooms

Avg.

Class

Size

Number of

Classrooms

Avg.

Class

Size

Number of

Classrooms

1-20

21-32

33+

1-20

21-32

33+

1-20

21-32

33+

K

10

1

8

1

1

7

1

8

1

7

2

2

3

1

3

4

5

6

2-3

5

2

8

1

3-5

6

1

4

2

8

1

2-4

Other

4

5

5

3

6

2

Safety and health of our students and staff is paramount to Oralingua. Inspections are conducted at least annually by Fire and Health Departments of the City of Whittier or County of L.A. Because of the nature of our student’s disabilities, age-appropriate lessons and curriculum regarding health and safety at home, at school and in the community are presented to all classrooms throughout the school year. These often include a community or parent resource in fire, health or law enforcement.

            All visitors must sign in and be identified in the office. Professional and parent tours are welcomed but are always guided by Oralingua staff. All guidelines regarding fingerprinting and health clearances for staff, interns and volunteers are followed carefully.

            Staff is trained yearly in CPR and First Aid by certified trainers at the local Red Cross. Fire and Emergency Drills are practiced on a regular basis and diagrams for exit plans are posted in each room. First aid and emergency packs are located in each classroom, and Supplies for extended emergency conditions are stored in a safe and accessible area, and are updated yearly. These include food and clothing supplies, and other materials that might be necessary for community disaster. Yearly Staff inservice includes discussion and review of emergency procedures.

Oralingua school’s curriculum, procedures, skills and expectations are designed with the overarching goal of preparing students who are deaf or hard of hearing to enter the mainstream of schools, family, community and society, as effective and contributing participants. Because of this, Oralingua is careful about establishing socially appropriate behaviors and preventing disruptive or negative behavior from becoming an additional handicap for our students. It is our hope that our students see themselves as capable, caring and likable and are perceived by others as such.  It is with this goal in mind that policies and systems regarding behavior have been established.

            Children who understand and follow procedures and school rules are better able to learn higher level skills, have an enjoyable school experience and feel secure in the school atmosphere. Families are guided in their efforts to support and reinforce  these behaviors during classroom conferences, parent meetings and in written memos and notices.

            Our three tiered model of support and education ranges from universal to small group to specific individual intervention. Goals for all children are focused toward motivating best behavior for each child. Staff is expected to actively reinforce and comment on positive interactions and respond to events with awareness that many disruptions occur in open areas, transitions, and unstructured periods.   Classrooms and school activities revolve around structure and specific teaching, organization and observation, and positive interactions throughout the school day.  Students are encouraged to use words to express feelings, to negotiate conflicts and to look carefully at feelings of others and consequences of their actions. Oralingua’s licensed clinical social worker supervises behavior issues, parent conferences and behavior plans when deemed necessary. Behavioral intervention plans can be implemented but are rarely required.

Rate

School

District

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Suspensions

0

0

0

N/A

N/A

N/A

Expulsions

0

0

0

N/A

N/A

N/A

  Oralingua School rents classrooms located within the St. Matthias Church building. The facility is maintained by both Oralingua custodians as well as St. Matthias personnel. Health and safety is monitored by both church personnel and Oralingua School and City and County officials.  School playground facilities have recently been upgraded and improved with new equipment, playing surfaces and design. Needs of students, population and technological and educational advances drive room renovations and improvements which are periodically modified. .

Item Inspected

Repair Status

Repair Needed and

Action Taken or Planned

Good

Fair

Poor

Gas Leaks

x

Mechanical Systems

x

Windows/Doors/Gates (interior and exterior)

Interior Surfaces (walls, floors, and ceilings)

x

Hazardous Materials (interior and exterior)

x

Structural Damage

x

Fire Safety

x

Electrical (interior and exterior)

x

Pest/Vermin Infestation

Pest control overseen by St. Matthias

Drinking Fountains (inside and outside)

Water dispensers located in classrooms

Restrooms

x

Sewer

x

Playground/School Grounds

x

Roofs

x

Overall Cleanliness

x

Item Inspected

Facility Condition

Exemplary

Good

Fair

Poor

Overall Summary

X

Teachers

School

District

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2008-09

With Full Credential

8

9

8

N/A

Without Full Credential

2

1

N/A

Teaching Outside Subject Area of Competence

1

1

1

N/A

Indicator

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Misassignments of Teachers of English Learners 

0

0

0

Total Teacher Misassignments

0

0

0

Vacant Teacher Positions

0

0

1

Location of Classes

Percent of Classes In Core Academic Subjects

Taught by

NCLB Compliant Teachers

Taught by

Non-NCLB Compliant Teachers

This School 

N/A

N/A

All Schools in District

N/A

N/A

High-Poverty Schools in District

N/A

N/A

Low-Poverty Schools in District

N/A

N/A

Teaching techniques and skills at Oralingua are highly specialized and specific and require extensive training. Staff is encouraged to keep consistent attendance. Teachers at Oralingua School are accustomed to flexible schedules and assignments. Because of small classes and team teaching, teachers are often able to share responsibility and cover classes for staff absences. Substitute teachers familiar with Oralingua are available for longer term substituting.

Teachers must be highly skilled not only in helping students develop abilities in traditional academics but also in specific areas affected by hearing loss: speech, language, audition, social interaction. Staff is observed by administration and supervisors regularly in classrooms and in therapy sessions which are followed up with informal and casual conferences.  Open communication and questions for administration is encouraged. Formal evaluations are done annually in fall or spring according to California Teaching Standards for presentation, knowledge, preparation and attention to student needs. 

Title

Number of FTE

Assigned to School

Average Number of

Students per

Academic Counselor

Academic Counselor

N/A

N/A

Library Media Teacher (Librarian)

N/A

N/A

Library Media Services Staff (paraprofessional)

N/A

N/A

Psychologist

N/A

N/A

Social Worker

1

N/A

Nurse

N/A

N/A

Speech/Language/Hearing Specialist

3

N/A

Resource Specialist (non-teaching)

1

N/A

Other  - Audiologist

2

N/A

Core Curriculum Area

Quality, Currency, and Availability of Textbooks and

Instructional Materials

Percent of Pupils

Who Lack Their Own

Assigned Textbooks and
Instructional Materials

Reading/Language Arts

good

0

Mathematics

good

0

Science

good

0

History-Social Science

good

0

Foreign Language

N/A

N/A

Health

N/A

N/A

Science Laboratory Equipment (grades 9-12)

N/A

N/A

In addition to classroom instruction, Oralingua school provides therapy and support according to need of the students. This is presented individually, in a small group or paired setting. These include:  speech and language therapy, aural re(habilitation) audiological services, parent infant therapy, academic tutoring and auditory verbal therapy Two full-time audiologists monitor hearing aids and cochlear implants, provide aural habilitation therapy and consult daily with teachers. They maintain contact with other hearing health professionals in order to ensure that students receive maximum benefit from amplification devices.  Speech therapy is provided by speech language pathologist, speech therapist and speech language professional earning clinical fellowship hours.  Parent infant therapy is delivered as arranged, and is designed to stimulate infants in their audition and early speech and cognitive development as family is supported and educated in needs   A licensed clinical social worker is available during school hours and for appointments for individual and group counseling of students and their parents.

Oralingua’s professional staff is comprised of teachers with advanced training, licensing and credentials in education of deaf and hard of hearing; speech therapy; speech pathology; learning handicaps, audiology; social work; auditory verbal therapy and early childhood education. Senior staff supervisors have over 25 years each of teaching within the Oralingua program. Supervision is provided in parent infant therapy; classroom instruction and management by senior staff members who are available daily for consultation and collaboration.

            The program utilizes a team approach in academic, therapeutic and social interventions in grouping and placement of all students. Staff collaborates in academic, special events and school procedural and philosophical policies.

            In addition to traditional subjects of language arts- reading, writing, spelling; mathematics; social studies and science, specific instruction in application of audition, spoken language, speech (articulation, prosody and pragmatics) cognition and social interaction skills are taught.  A strong emphasis on perceptual and motor skills is valued, and classes participate in regularly scheduled activities in these areas which support general learning. Academic materials and goals are adapted from local districts and California State Standards that are appropriate for student skill levels

Weekly staff meetings present new concepts, research and developments within the field of hearing health as well as general education. All staff members are encouraged to attend conferences and presentations outside the school setting.  Specialists are supported in attendance at association and professional conferences and report to staff on information gained. Experts in the field of curriculum, child development, motor skills, and hearing health are invited to present information regularly.

            We regularly take advantage of training offered by local education agencies who share inservice opportunities with our school.

Grade Level

Instructional Minutes

Offered

State Requirement

K

59,400

36,000

1

59,400

50,400

2

59,400

50,400

3

59,400

50,400

4

59,400

54,000

5

54,000

6

54,000

7

54,000

8

54,000

9

64,800

10

64,800

11

64,800

12

64,800

Grade Level

Instructional Days With At Least 180 Instructional Minutes

Offered

State Requirement

9

180 days

10

180 days

11

180 days

12

180 days

Instructional minutes for each level exceed state requirements. Teachers at Oralingua are working in a field that has become more and more technical. New information and research on hearing health as well as instructional resources and techniques is provided regularly in weekly meetings. All staff interacts with the entire student body and share responsibility for their learning and behavior in and outside of the classroom. For this reason Students are dismissed at 1:35 each Thursday to allow for staff inservice and discussion regarding these specific areas and to share planning for the needs of students.