Maryland Association of the Deaf

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has established a committee to work toward recognition of American Sign Language (ASL) as a foreign language. Currently there are various levels of acceptance of ASL credit throughout the state. Generally, at the high school level, students are required to successfully complete two credits of a foreign language. The goal is to have ASL included as one of the options to fulfill this graduation requirement.

The current phase of the committee’s work focuses on the establishment of specific regulations, including the qualifications necessary for ASL instructors in the state of Maryland.

The committee’s recommended regulations, compiled as a result of their deliberations over the past two years, were posted in the Maryland Register Friday, November 20, 2009 (Volume 36, Issue 24); see below for the full English version.

The purpose of this action is to ensure that students in Maryland schools have teachers who are qualified to teach ASL. To receive certification in ASL (prekindergarten—grade 12), the applicant shall meet one of the following options:

(1) Option I:
(a) Earn a bachelor’s or higher degree from an institution of higher education (IHE) with a major in American Sign Language; or
(b) Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of content coursework in American Sign Language taken at an IHE and meet:
(i) professional education training; and
(ii) teaching experience requirement

(2) Option II:
(a) Earn a bachelor’s degree or higher from an IHE;
(b) Present a valid professional certificate issued by the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) or another Department-approved national or regional organization; and
(c) Meet the professional education coursework requirement.

B. For the content coursework required in Option(1)(b) of this regulation:
(1) A minimum of 50 percent shall be taken at the same institution; and
(2) A minimum of 12 semester hours shall be upper division coursework.

If you have any questions or concerns or would like additional clarification or information, please feel free to contact Dr. Eddy Laird, member of MSDE ASL Work Group, at eddylaird@att.net. All questions or concerns submitted by December 21st (within the 30 day comment period) will be passed on to the Maryland State Department of Education for their consideration. Click this link for the full English version.