We are 8th grade students at Ephraim Curtis Middle School in Sudbury Massachusetts. Our Civics Action Project promotes the inclusion of ASL in Massachusetts public high schools. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School currently does not offer ASL as a language or elective. If the Massachusetts Legislature were to pass Senate bill S.2589 and House bill H.4428, these measures will require public high schools to credit the successful completion of an ASL curriculum toward satisfaction of foreign language requirements for graduation. In addition to passing this Legislation, we ask that the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor Maura Healey also enacts a law to provide funding for ASL curricula that supports resources, including the hiring of ASL certified teachers. For the reasons below, we urge you to sign our petition and support the inclusion of ASL in Massachusetts public high schools.

When students consider choices for their high school language classes, most usually think about Spanish, French, Latin, and other common languages. But what about American Sign Language? As of 2019, only 33 of more than 400 schools in Massachusetts offered ASL classes! While that may not seem like an important issue at first glance, did you know that around 20% of the Massachusetts population is deaf or hard of hearing? This means a large portion of this group likely relies on ASL as their main language. However, because there are so few opportunities to learn ASL in school, a large portion of this population is neither well-served nor included. In addition, learning ASL in high school is not only beneficial to those with hearing problems, but it also provides significant benefits to others with disabilities. For example, research proves that it is beneficial for people with dyslexia, autism, and other disabilities to learn a movement language instead of a reading and speaking language. When taught as a class, ASL can help everyone engage effectively with their language instruction, as well as feel more comfortable both in school and outside of school in their communities. 

In February 2023, the Senate and House bill supporting ASL inclusion in the forgiven language curriculum was introduced to the Joint Committee on Education. Currently, these bills have successfully moved out of the Joint Committee and are under review by the Senate and House. 

By signing this petition, you can help bring awareness and support for the need to teach ASL in all Massachusetts high schools. If you support the passage of the ASL legislation, please sign this petition.  Even if your high school already includes an ASL class, why not give your support to a more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community for every high school in Massachusetts?

Thank you! - Rachel Edlefsen, Frankie Krauser, Anna Salvador, Sidney Krauss, Lexie Stolper, and Tess van der Voorn