Dear Families/Staff/Community Members,
*Update 5/26/21: The Program Review Team has extended the feedback survey deadline through Monday, May 31, 2021.
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all individually and collectively for your participation in last week's Program Review of Tennessee Schools for the Deaf by American School for the Deaf (ASD) and Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD).
We understand how it can feel uncomfortable with strangers asking difficult questions, and we appreciate the candor and professionalism each of you exhibited in our conversations. The feedback and suggestions that you made last week will certainly help us in the development of a plan that will ensure all three Tennessee Schools for the Deaf work together to support our students and improve the scope and quality of education and support they deserve. We were impressed with the support and participation of families, the passion and commitment of staff, and the drive and determination of the students. The community is poised and ready. We believe that good things are ahead for the Tennessee schools.
One of the primary issues raised last week by all groups was the need to improve communication as a school, and transparency of this review process is the first step in improving communication.
The groups are still collecting any feedback and suggestions from those of you who did not yet have the chance to share or from those who may have additional thoughts. The responses to the forms will be due by May 31, 2021.
If you are a family member, please use this form: ,https://forms.gle/2VyB9ZEV5HjVvADGA
If you are a staff member, please use this form: https://forms.gle/BjsnATLj9XtX5jyJ7
If you are a community member, please use this form: https://forms.gle/2C56BhwbbnzjhqZn9
Both groups will be submitting their reports by June 15th, and we will be setting up some dates and times for presentations of the findings and recommendations.
We also look forward to beginning the process of finding a new Superintendent of Tennessee Schools for the Deaf and utilizing the recommendations and findings to help your State Department develop a roadmap that will allow us to continue to improve education outcomes for all of our Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. While each of the review team members joined us from different states and programs across the country, they share in the care and passion to see Tennessee Schools for the Deaf thrive.
Again, thank you for your participation.
Sincerely,
Vicki Kirk, Ed.D Josh Mason
Superintendent, Assistant Commissioner,
Tennessee Schools for the Deaf State Special Schools