Add American Sign Language (ASL) as a Course Across All Olentangy local High Schools


Add American Sign Language (ASL) as a Course Across All Olentangy local High Schools
The Issue
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We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Olentangy Local School District add American Sign Language (ASL) as a foreign language option accessible to high school students across all buildings. ASL provides a unique opportunity for students who face challenges with traditional foreign languages due to learning differences such as dyslexia or other reading/writing processing difficulties. Offering ASL ensures these students have equitable access to fulfilling the district’s goal of facilitating maximum learning for every student, while still allowing them to build a competitive high school transcript. Currently, the district offers three foreign languages. If financial concerns are cited as a barrier, the district could continue offering two spoken/written foreign languages while adding ASL as the third language option, making language study more inclusive without increasing costs. Olentangy Schools have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and support for students with learning differences, as evidenced by the district’s diversity and inclusion committees and the dyslexia network. Expanding language offerings to include ASL is a logical next step, ensuring all students have the opportunity to explore foreign languages in a way that is accessible, equitable, and aligned with the district’s educational mission. We urge the district to take this step toward inclusive education and to empower all students to achieve academic success.

347
The Issue
Please sign and share if you can. ❤️
We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Olentangy Local School District add American Sign Language (ASL) as a foreign language option accessible to high school students across all buildings. ASL provides a unique opportunity for students who face challenges with traditional foreign languages due to learning differences such as dyslexia or other reading/writing processing difficulties. Offering ASL ensures these students have equitable access to fulfilling the district’s goal of facilitating maximum learning for every student, while still allowing them to build a competitive high school transcript. Currently, the district offers three foreign languages. If financial concerns are cited as a barrier, the district could continue offering two spoken/written foreign languages while adding ASL as the third language option, making language study more inclusive without increasing costs. Olentangy Schools have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and support for students with learning differences, as evidenced by the district’s diversity and inclusion committees and the dyslexia network. Expanding language offerings to include ASL is a logical next step, ensuring all students have the opportunity to explore foreign languages in a way that is accessible, equitable, and aligned with the district’s educational mission. We urge the district to take this step toward inclusive education and to empower all students to achieve academic success.

347
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Petition created on September 21, 2025