The Competencies Needed for Teaching Hearing-Impaired Students: A Comparison of Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Perceptions

Many hearing-impaired students demonstrate difficulty in academically measuring up to their hearing peers. The deficiencies become especially obvious during their secondary school years. This study surveyed a national sample of elementary and secondary level teachers of the hearing impaired to compare their perceptions of the competencies needed to work with hearing-impaired students. The results suggest that teachers at both levels believe that some skills are fundamental for all teachers of the hearing-impaired, regardless of the age level of the students. However, the data also suggest there are some important differences. Concerns about state certification procedures and current practices in teacher training programs are discussed.