American school systems have been going through a multitude of changes to the curriculum students have to learn. Some idealized changes have people questioning the system of education from several different points of view. 
Changing some things could prove to be a wonderful idea, but the beginning of that change should be in regards to the way we all communicate. 
Being all-inclusive in the school systems should begin with the way we communicate with everyone in society. Including the deaf community. 
People from all walks of life, no matter their position in society, have at least been scheduled to a foreign language class during their school years. (i.e. Spanish, French, etc.) Knowing foreign languages is a great idea, but something is still missing concerning our nation’s own language. The communication barrier between the hearing, the hearing impaired, and the deaf.
If all schools (public, private, etc.) across America required at least basic ASL (American Sign Language) to be taught then the communication barrier amongst Americans would be a lot smaller than it is now. 
ASL is a language that operates on hand signs, facial expressions, and body language. These are the same gestures and expressions that people use every day when making a statement, asking a question, or participating in a conversation. 
Teaching students to use the proper signs and expressions that would help them effectively communicate with the deaf would also teach them to be a more vital, involved part of our society. 
The deaf community is much larger than most think. However, when the concept is put together on a regular scale, it makes perfect sense to make basic ASL mandatory in all schools. 
Although the part of society that can not hear well or at all are called a community, in truth they are part of the entire community. To be blunt, the hearing impaired and the deaf do not confine themselves to a single location so they have others to communicate with. Nor should they be. Nor should they be made to feel that they have to hide from mainstream society because of the communication barrier with their fellow Americans. 
School systems and businesses strive to close the communication barrier between nationalities. However, this particular barrier is not between different nationalities. This language gap is right in the heart of America itself. 
It is completely understandable that to speak to someone from a foreign nation, a new language would have to be learned to establish communication. However, the fact that Americans do not know how to communicate with all of their fellow Americans in the nation’s own languages is a very sad, very real truth. 
ASL and American English are American languages that should be taught together so that the Americans that can not hear very well or hear at all can communicate with anyone in society without the need for a translator or fellow signer that can hear.
Obviously, one American should not have to have a third person present to have the ability to communicate with another American. Especially if the conversation is relatively private or sensitive. 
Having someone that is not actually a part of the conversation translates private information is rude and degrading for the deaf. An added person to a private conversation also requires that the deaf or hearing impaired give up part of their right to privacy that the rest of the nation takes for granted. 
The solution to the language barrier amongst hearing, hearing impaired, and the deaf can be closed simply by teaching basic ASL in schools. This does mean an added teacher, or the teacher who gives language arts and spelling lessons would have to know sign language. However, that is hardly an argument worth having in this era of all-inclusiveness and internet privileges. 
Obviously, if kids are going to be taught at least basic ASL, the teachers should already know it, too. None of this is as overwhelming as it sounds.
There are numerous resources for anyone to learn ASL. There are classes outside of schools available across the nation as well as YouTube videos, textbooks, and apps for cellphones, tablets, and computers. There is literally a program to fit any budget as well as some free basic ASL available that would make it simple for an adult to learn enough to get them started. 
The problem is- there are not enough people that would search this information out so that the community can communicate the way a society should. That leaves this choice to the school systems themselves. 
Deaf or not, hearing impaired or not, everyone has the right to be heard, to be understood, and to be able to accomplish something so simple as communicating effectively. The only way to establish a new way to include those that have been excluded because of the inability to hear is by closing the communication gap. 
Learning basic ASL is as important as learning reading, writing, math, science, and history. 
Communication is the key to being inclusive. Even the Constitution's first statements concern the right to free speech. Therefore, all Americans should have the same rights be placed at the top of the educational agenda. The right to speak and be spoken to, to be heard and understood.