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Section 3:
Demonstration Schools (KDES and MSSD)
LAURENT CLERC NATIONAL DEAF EDUCATION CENTER
DEMONSTRATION SCHOOLS OVERVIEW
Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES)
Kendall Demonstration Elementary School is a day school for deaf and
hard of hearing children. KDES is fully accredited by the Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools and the Conference of Educational
Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf. KDES is part of the
federally mandated demonstration program on the Gallaudet University campus.
KDES consists of four instructional teams: Parent Infant/Preschool/Kindergarten
Team; Grades 1 & 2 Team; Grades 3,4,5 Team; and Grades 6,7,8 Team.
Most students come from Washington, D.C., and surrounding counties in
Maryland and Virginia. At KDES, instruction is child-centered, and literacy
is emphasized. The curriculum is thematic and highly integrated. Teachers
and professionals work on the teams, evaluating each student for individual
progress. Many support services are available to assist students and their
families throughout their educational program. KDES also operates an after-school
program including sports, writing, art, scouting and camping trips.
As a part of its national mission, promising educational practices, curricula,
and materials are developed and evaluated within the school for dissemination
to other schools and programs across the country. Priorities for development
and dissemination are in the areas of literacy, family involvement and
transition from school to work or postsecondary education.
Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD)
The Model Secondary School for the Deaf is a comprehensive high school
program for deaf and hard of hearing students. It is both a day and residential
program serving students from all over the nation. Like KDES, it was established
by the United States Congress to provide leadership in deaf education,
and innovative programs are developed and evaluated for dissemination
nationwide in the three priority areas cited above.
MSSD consists of four instructional teams: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11,
and Grade 12. Each team has a unifying theme into which major content
areas are integrated. Literacy is emphasized throughout the curriculum.
The Curriculum Enhancement Team works with teams at both KDES and MSSD
to provide instruction in areas such as: art, home economics, performing
arts, industrial arts, physical education, and driver education. Each
team also has personal and transition counselors to help students determine
and work toward their career goals. MSSD's Student Life program offers
a variety of programs that enrich students' academic learning and enhance
their independent living skills. After school activities and a full athletic
program are offered.
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