Is the university status doing Gallaudet more harm than good? It is time to be honest about Gallaudet's decline as Anne Marie said. Mishka Zena cited recruitment issues which may affect Gallaudet's decline to which I heartily agree.
An illustration of how Gallaudet declined...the middle was the heyday of Gallaudet from 1930s through 1970s...we have since become mentally lazy thanks in some way to technology...we have AR (Accelerated Reading) programs that give multiple choice answers in our schools for reading; writing and term papers easily plagiarized from the Internet....and the educators of the deaf have lowered their expectations as well as turned to the computers to design their lesson plans rather than using their brain power and training to design their lessons. We are a mentally indolent society.
26 comments:
Another idea; If the preparatory program cannot be resurrected, how about setting up a community college on campus, with a wide slate of AS degree offerings? Call it the Clerc Community College (CCC! :) ) or something.
This way, Gallaudet will get the critical mass of students it needs for Congressional funding, and at the same time, not compromise the quality of its education at the university level. The students who are not able to 'cross' over to the university side, will still be able to earn AS degrees, and hopefully gain employment, etc.
Todd,
That's great idea. I am not sure if Congress funding depends upon enrollment alone - I seem to understand it is based on the university status upon which the funding is determined to be allocated to Gallaudet rather than simply on enrollment alone. Gallaudet College did not concern itself with enrollment number. But, bringing back prepatory program? That program did not seem to be much of a benefit, but a community college with AA or general studies program sounds right. That should be seriously considered.
Gallaudet did have several AA programs when it was first converted to an university. These programs folded as they weren't cost effective. The preparatory school was closed for the same reasons, too.
Personally I think Gallaudet should get smaller if this is the only way for it to regain its former academic rigors of of the old days. An older friend mentioned that Gallaudet received at least two earlier mandates from Congress, ordering increases of Gallaudet population, prior to '85, when Gallaudet became a university. All of them resulted in weakening academic rigors.
No, I dont think we need to downgrade from university to college. Gallaudet simply have to raise the academic standards, and in turn, force the state schools to improve the system.
And at the same time, Gallaudet must establish the relationships with community colleges all over the country and Canada to ensure that they work together (same curriculum, same concept) in order for deaf students to improve their weaknesses before heading to Gallaudet.
The preparatory program was established at Gallaudet mainly because in the past, the community colleges across the nation did not provide the accessibility for deaf students to use. But more and more CCs are opening the doors to deaf people, the demands of preparatory program was no longer necessary.
So Cy, you cannot argue that the PP was not "beneficial" to Gallaudet -- it was a significant beneficial to Gallaudet's growth between 1950s to 1990s!
Cheers,
R-
Ridor,
I think I was more thinking that Prepatory program did not benefit Gallaudet students directly, but if it contributed to forming programs in community colleges where deaf students can attend instead of attending Gallaudet, then prepatory program did indeed benefit us indirectly - but do we want to bring the program back on campus?? I think the program compromises the quality of education and curricula at Gallaudet - best leave that to the local community colleges??
Mishka Zena,
You're better informed and have more access to information in relation to Gallaudet than any of us! :) But bascially, we're on the same page - I don't mind trimming enrollment in order to rise the standards there. Something Gallaudet need to negotiate the Congress about or find an alternative to raising money which can be risky...the federal funding is their safety net.
Check out Yahoo! News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070630/ap_on_re_us/gallaudet_accreditation;_ylt=Ak_PCl52aaAZ4hz9SKkYK75vzwcF
I tried to locate a website that provides explaination on guideline for maintaining the status quo, so far I only find sites for India universities and colleges. I gotta to cook.. I recall that the university needs to have at least 2000 students to be acceptably considered a university.
If it is the number, I think it is silly. It is academic quality and availablity of different fields that should override the number issue. I hope the congress will see to this and be reasonable by just lower the enrollment requirement until the university start getting more qualified students.
I always like and respect NTID's model system.
Well, You spoke excat what happened to today, gallaudet Univerisity tried to keep up with the number of 2,000 not today anymore lost the numbers and declined due to bad education and you are right about 8th grade level in reading not in gallaudet university any more in my time it was average 8 grade level in reading but anymore today Gallaudet University, very sad and unfortunately it is about 4 grade level in reading plummneted to 4th grade level in reading from 8th grade level, and your father reading was 10th, i myself was at 12 grade level in reading at my school not gallaudet university, President Merril showed me at his office at OLD HMB he had graphic level for reading and it was 4 grade level he said it was all amount about 1,200 students but they were not real handful students only 120 students were real handful, Gallaudet University has no choice but opened to number of students were much lower than your father or you or me. I agree with you many of students were not supposed to enrol that college! but Congress required Gallaudet Univ to open as much as 2 thousands students to meet! and caused education degrading quality very sad. I am not sure about Gallaudet University should drop University Status!
Yes I remember when I was in high school, Gallaudet was a college back then, it was difficult to get in but I was lucky to get an acceptance letter (I think I was the only one in the deaf contained class to be accepted but I'm not too sure/or don't remember if any of my classmates were accepted as they didn't go there anyway whereas NTID was easy for deaf people to get in as most of my classmates went there) so it may be possible that Gallaudet was competing with NTID to grab as many students so they lowered their admission acceptance status, right?
My memory fails me, why did Gallaudet change its status from college to university, can you tell me if you know the answer please?
I also see that many deafies when they graduate from NTID/Gallaudet, they have a hard time finding jobs, this scares parents a lot and they want to spend their money wisely to make sure that their child is able to get a job after graduation.
Gallaudet needs to work harder on making sure that their graduates are able to find jobs after graduation.
Also VR is not as great as they were in back old days so parents have to pick up the tab to pay for their deaf child to go college so maybe Gallaudet is expensive and may prefer to send their deaf child to a local mainstreamed college or university. I don't know and I could be wrong on this so please correct me on this.
But Gallaudet DOES have potential to be a successful university if we can put a spin to it and make sure that it produces positive outcome after graduation. I know because I went to Gallaudet and I LEARNED SO MUCH from there than I did at NTID/RIT -- my goodness, I was challenged by teachers and students (at graduate level) and it opened my eyes to many things.
I am inclined to agree with Ridor.
Gallaudet must raise the kids' reading/writing to 10th grade! It will force the school f/t deaf to improve and make sure the kids are taught in higher level of education.
Anne Marie,
Indeed, it is rather silly to stipulate the federal funding based on enrollment set by federal government...Gallaudet can't compete with other universities by enrolling 2,000 students and 3/4 of the student population were enrolled with 3-4th grade level - that is not competition....it is a farce. Someone has to stand before Congress and explain why it is illogical to keep the 2,000 status quo and compromise the quality of education because the vast majority of the deaf graduate with 3rd-4th grade level. I think a consortium program with community colleges is the way to go - more Ohlene Colleges to prepare students to enter the 8th grade college work level.
Michelle,
Gallaudet had planned to become an university to gain world-wide recognition and to recruit more students and to achieve accrediation. As Gallaudet College, I believe it was non accrediated, making the degrees weak. Plus with university status, it stood to gain larger federal funding as well which was very well the motive behind acquiring the university status. When I enrolled in 1981, the enrollment was 1,500....I remember talking amongst ourselves about aggressive recuritment to achieve the 2,000 mark by adding some new programs, adding new majors, adding the graduate program, the docorate program, etc. These new programs contributed to acqusition of the university status as well as reaching the 2,000 mark which was achieved around 1984. But now I understand the enrollment is now well below 2,000...we as well go back to college status.
hey Cy, I do not mean that we need to bring the preparatory program. In fact, I do not want to see it back. It already has outlived its use to Gallaudet in general.
In fact, by raising the academic standards, it literally will push Gallaudet to set up the ties with community colleges across the nation and build a relationship.
In Virginia, the University of Virginia has many relationships with community colleges AND smaller colleges as far as Wise, Virginia (about 290 miles away from the campus!).
I am aware that there are scores of community colleges who attempted to foster a relationship with Gallaudet only to be scoffed by the IKJ Administration in the past. I'm CERTAIN this administration will not scoff at this opportunity.
Cheers,
R-
University status is solely dependent on the amount of Post-Graduate study available. How many Masters and Doctorate courses it offers.
The ironic thing is while Gallaudet's ability to give a Bachelor's degree equivalent to any other University declines, the Graduate programs is top notch. Who the hell would want a Master's or Doctorate in Deaf Studies or Sign Language Linguistics anywhere ELSE but Gallaudet?
- Ken Rose
Ridor,
Thanks for the clarification. I guess we're on the same page on this...I spoke of consortium program with another commentor....a consortium program with a series of community colleges across the country would be nice. Get them ready for college level work following high school graduation. In fact many VRs require their clients to enroll at community college the first year to evaluate thier peformance - a predictor of how well they would do at Gallaudet; at least this is the theory they are going with. I know this is true for California...VRs there make enrolling at a community college a mandate....as for my state, I think it depends on the individual - a cumulative of their GPA, SAT, Exit Exam scores act as predictor of college performance of their clients. Only select few get to go straight to Gallaudet and bypass community college route.
Ken
I am curious where you get the information that the graduate program at Gallaudet is top-notch? Foe Deaf Studies, it makes sense, indeed, as it is the epicenter on deafness...but for other programs? Lingusitics - I guess so as Gallaudet would be the only place where study and research on linguistics could be found. They are pathetic and a farce anywhere else.
I remembered myself when I was formerly preparatory student at NWC and it was an excellent program. Our classmates were the last group in year of 1994/1995 before Gallaudet University decided to close the Preparatory Program. There were messed up in English Dept at Gallaudet University really badly. Our English Teachers from Preparatory program taught us how to learn and use to read and write English for College level as English 103 (writing level). When I came to Gallaudet as Freshman year, they changed to teach methode us English ESSAY... THEY MADE US confused... Often freshman students do complain with English Department because their system was not an excellent program and they confused us LOTS!!!!!
After I passed my essays, then I took English 103, I remembered how I did learn from Preparatory English teachers... I had to all over again... Who was FAULT?????
NOT STUDENTS?? Gallaudet English DEPT are FAULT and they did ruin our English...
I am glad that Gallaudet University is working on MSCHE and hope that they need to work closely with English DEPT tooo....
Very sadly for whose those 5 teachers were sued Gallaudet University in the past... 5 English teachers were from Preparatory program and they were an excellence teachers ever I had.
Yes, I support that Gallaudet should have Preparatory Program back and help with students' improve their English and Math and other courses, too.
What Ridor said, HE DID NOT KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BECAUSE HE CAME TO GALLAUDET LATER?!!!!!! He thinks he knows EVERYTHING!!!! Ridor, leave us alone and lets us discuss our express and opinion, PLEASE... and RESPECT, thank you...
As one who entered Gallaudet as a freshman while Gally still had prep program, I think it did helped some students, however, Gallaudet should not have a prep program. Gallaudet should work closely with K-12 programs to make sure they are preparing kids for college/university at the expected level when they graduate. Makes sense. 4th grade reading level is a disgrace. That is not even the median grade level nationwide. I'm not too familiar with acrediation but common sense tells me that we need to bring the levels of our deaf students in par with the hearing by the time they graduate from high school.
C,
I agree - 4th grade level high school graduates is a disgrace, however, quite surprisingly, the national average is 6th grade!! I was astounded when I learned of that! No wonder so many hearing people I encountered could not spell, wrote poorly, and often misunderstood postings on blogs. The national average proves the declining education even in the public schools as well. Now I worry about my own sons who are hearing.
SO who enter the state colleges or univeristies at 8th grade level are actually above the national's average. Community colleges have lower enrollment standards and the applicants have to take their own exams to get enrolled.
Like some people suggested, I think a collaboration program with local community colleges with Gallaudet would help many deaf students prepare for higher education.
Yes, K-12 is where we should re-direct our focus upon...we could do little to "fix" the high school graduates but we have a chance to catch them while they're still young.
Anonymous,
I was in prep program myself for one semester because I was one lousy point short of passing the freshman English exam. The first day I showed up for the prep English, I was shocked at hoe easy it was. It was stuff I learned way back in elementary school. That was how they percieved their students - too stupid to learn English that they had to push the grade level all way to elementary level. That was an insult. I never showed up after the first day. I just waited until December to re-take the freshman English exam and I passed. My husband, who attended the school for the deaf until 8th grade, and went mainstreamed throughout his high school years, had similar experience as I and he, too, never went back after the first day.
I thought the prep program was a joke. And honestly, many of those who did a full year of prep or two continue to struggle to with English even today. I am hazarding a guess that those prep teachers were not properly qualified to teach language arts in the first place. Perhaps the prep program did benefit a small percentage of students...perhaps they got lucky and got good teachers?? If so, count your blessings.
This mentions deaf black man who started Gally-L was fired.
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/29/AR2007062902256.html
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/education/01gallaudet.html
Deaf Tea Time's assessment and rationale is well taken. Let Gallaudet go back to its Elite roots. Quality is better than quantity. I support you 100%
Cy, I dont know when you enroll Gallaudet that year... and I was an international student. At first, I was enrolled English Language Institute Program for one year and then enrolled into Preparartory Program for one year (1994/1995). There were an excellence English teachers at Preparatory Program ever I had and they taught us in proper college level for English. After that, I went to Freshman year, I failed English level, I was really shocked and they pulled us down our English language like 3rd to 4th grade level which was not right. Freshman English teachers taught us how to write English like... an example: "An apple is red." The sentence was very simple words. Everything changed with my English... so I was pissed off! I had to take English 50 and not English 103 first place. Gallaudet English Department for Freshman were really messed up between 1995 to 2000.. Many students were upset with ENglish Department for a long time. WHY WHY ENglish Department did do that to students???? I was taking doing fine with other courses and I got better grades than English... CANT BE! Gallaudet English Department needs to change their mess and their level need to up to quality? We, students know that we were not our fault nor high schools ... Gallaudet English DEPT FAULT and that is BIGGEST problems with English Dept because they are trying to pull us DOWN our language.. I think that those teachers need to get out and get new teachers and plus better ASL... Currently teachers at English DEpt are horrible there! Those teachers dont fluent ASL... That is my concern!!!!!
I hope that Gallaudet will get the critical mass of students needs if Gallaudet administrators need to work on Faculties' skills like ASL fluent... which are the most important!!!!!
Cy, I know my ENglish is not great, sorry! I am still practicing my English everyday anyway!!!! Thank you!
Anonymous,
Your English is not the best but readable and comprehensible. You got your message across which is what counts!
I've heard these past several years, Gallaudet had seen professors with poor ASL skills - poor signing skills which was an alarming concern for me. Most of my teachers my time - 1981 - 1989 with 2 leaves of absences - had decent signing skills. That is a tragic disgrace to the integrity of the university. You could thank the Jordan Administration for that! That was why we protested Jane Fernandes - she was Jordan's protege and we most definitely did not want to carry on the Jordan Administration with Jane Fernandes which was sure to happen!
Davila is making a lot of waves which is washing away the bad and bring in a healthier Gallaudet!
Cy -
Yes, I agree with you about JKF and IKJ's situation... I am glad that she is gone now...
Dr Davila is a wonderful person and hard working... He wants to get better and improve for Gallaudet's future... I am glad that Gallaudet is now working on MSCHE. Also, I know new provost Stephen Weiner... He is also a wonderful person and hard working... He is really eagered to work closely with MSCHE committees and he wants to make sure Gallaudet becomes better and healthier, too. I know him very well as his wife. They are very nice and cool people ever I have meet..
Anonymous re: Gally-L
Ridor and Mishka Zena posted about the man who formed Gally-L, Slemo Wargon, and was terminated for his role in that. I did not realize he is black, but what does that have to do with Gally-L - his race?
Going back to college status certainly would relieve the pressure on Gallaudet to keep its enrollment high without compromising its quality of education. There are many excellent colleges in the United States that have turned out reputable alumnus... Bowdoin, Mount Holyoke, Oberlin, Occidental, Macalester (the alma mater of Kofi Annan, UN secretary-general). Of course that may bring up the situation of post-graduate programs at Gallaudet. If maintaing a University status is necessary to keep those programs, maybe Gallaudet can work with another university in Washington, DC to offer the degrees under those university's names?
Another option Gallaudet may consider to keep its enrollment high is to remove the cap on foreign students, that way Gallaudet can open its doors to the most qualified students in the world. That would certainly increase by tenfold or even hundredfold the pool of potential Gallaudet students, not to mention enriching the environment at Gallaudet with a diverse student body comprising of individuals bringing their different perspectives to campus. This scenario does bring up the question of funding for Gallaudet, as it is funded by the UNITED STATES government, not by foreign governments, and American taxpayers would of course complain about subsidizing foreigners' tuition. Also, making foreigners pay more for education at Gallaudet than U.S. citizens do will limit the number of foreigners that can come to Gallaudet. Maybe Gallaudet can work with the United Nations to secure foreign funding for Gallaudet to address this?
What do you all think?
Moebus,
Gallaudet would be LESS stressed to keep the enrollment at 2,000 if the university status is dropped. The stipulation to keeping larger funding and to keep the university status is to keep the enrollment above 2,000 which has been the reason why Gallaudet's quality of education has been in decline - they had to enroll high school graduates with 3rd - 4th grade levels just to keep the enrollment above 2,000. Dropping back to college status will remove that and bring Gallaudet back to the old days of quality education.
Gallaudet needs to realize that it exists due to generous funding by the United States taxpayers. If you look at the current enrollment and do the math, you will see that educating one student cost an exorbitant amount of money. With the passage of the ADA, worthy students can attend college anywhere with accommodations. So why would a person go to Gallaudet where there are bomb threats every time midterms are held and the graduation rate is abysmal. The only thing decent about the eduction system there is the graduate school. How ironic.
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