FY 2008 Annual Report of Achievements - Gallaudet University

time (new documentation/updated proposal would be submitted to the IRB at that future time) and
possibly collaborate with the co-investigators on a paper. None of the investigators is able to address
this area at this time.
Teacher/Parent Reading Study (VL2/Research/Practice Integration Study)
Status: Ongoing Begin date: September 2007 End date: No set date
Principal Investigator(s):
Nover, Stephen M. – College of Professional
Studies and Outreach, Language Planning
Institute
Mounty, Judith L. – College of Professional
Studies and Outreach, Language Planning
Institute
Other Investigator(s):
Pucci, Concetta (student) – VL2 and
Administration and Supervision
Description:
The goal of this project is to obtain an insider’s perspective on how deaf children reared and
educated in an ASL/English bilingual learning environment become proficient readers. To learn
how children who acquire language primarily by eye, rather than by ear, and become competent
readers when the language of print derives from spoken language, the investigators interviewed
teachers and parents of deaf children. The intent was to explore their insights, experiences, and
beliefs about this process, focusing on students who have moved beyond learning to read and are
now reading to learn. Research in the field of reading indicates that this transition happens at about
the fourth grade reading level (not necessarily 4th grade). Twelve interviews have been conducted
via videophone from Gallaudet University. Interview analyses and data processing are nearly
completed and focus on identifying recurring themes regarding essential foundations for fostering
skills associated with bilingual ASL/English competence and reading proficiency in the target
population. These factors are in the process of being reformulated to create an online survey to be
administered in English, with an introduction in ASL. Also, respondents are invited to contact the
research team via email, IM, or videophone with any questions about the survey. The survey will be
administered electronically; data will be processed at Gallaudet University.
Funding source: VL2
A-17