QUALIFICATIONS OF PERSONNEL

(a) A student who is deaf or hard of hearing must have an education in which teachers, psychologists, speech language pathologists, progress assessors, administrators, and others involved in education understand the unique nature of deafness and the hard-of-hearing condition. A teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing either must be proficient in appropriate language modes or use an interpreter certified in appropriate language modes if certification is available. (b) Each school district shall employ or provide access to appropriate qualified staff with proficient communications skills, consistent with credentialing requirements, to fulfill the responsibilities of the school district, and shall make positive efforts to employ qualified individuals with disabilities. (c) General and special education personnel who work with students who are deaf or hard of hearing must be adequately prepared to provide educational instruction and services to those students.