Meeting the challenge of deaf and hard of hearing students transitioning to secondary school : parent and student perspectives / by Lisa Tropea.

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the perspectives of parents of deaf and hard of hearing students who were ready to make the transition from elementary school to secondary school or who had recently done so. In addition, the objective was to converse with the deaf and hard of hearing students themselves and the parents in order to determine what the parents and children believed to be the benefits and potential barriers of the children's educational placements. Qualitative research methods were used, including the use of an interview guide (Patton, 2002) and field notes. Data was collected using two separate focus groups, one group of three parents and one group of six students in grades nine or ten. All of the participants were oral deaf (hearing impaired students who could communicate orally) or hard of hearing students who attend the same school and who have all recently made the transition to secondary school. Both groups of participants reflected upon their past and present experiences regarding class placement, transition and learning in an inclusive environment. Data collection took place in a large urban centre in Northwestern Ontario. Throughout the research process, data analysis was continuous. Findings disclosed that students with hearing loss and their parents have similar concerns regarding inclusion, class placement and the transition of deaf and hard of hearing students from elementary to secondary school.