The RMHS World Language Department is exploring the addition of American Sign Language as a way for students to fulfill their graduation requirements for that area in the coming years.

There has been a recent push to offer ASL as an option for high school students across Massachusetts. According to the state’s law, high school students are required to take two years of the same foreign language in order to graduate. Massachusetts Senator Jacob Oliveira proposed legislation in April of 2023 that would make ASL an option to satisfy this requirement. RMHS currently offers three world language courses-Spanish, Latin, and French-but are working towards the addition of a new ASL program.

RMHS World Language Department director Mrs.Mahoney described the variety of benefits to having ASL class offerings in the district. “Having an alternate language opportunity for students is useful, but also we have members of our own community who are deaf or hard of hearing,” stated Mahoney. Beyond its practicality for students in need, she added, “It gives students the ability to take that skill and use it in the workplace or in future careers.” According to a statement from Senator Oliveira, there has recently been a substantial demand in Massachusetts for people who are able to fill jobs requiring sign language proficiency.

On account of RMHS students showing a growing interest in ASL, early last year Spanish teacher Mr.Ryan founded an ASL club which now has upwards of 25 members. Ryan believes that students reached out to him because they knew of his personal experience with ASL. “I grew up in a situation with deaf people, and I took classes at Gallaudet which is a deaf college in Washington D.C.,” he shared. Mahoney reflected on Ryan’s background, stating “There are a lot of districts right now that are looking at adding ASL, and a big sticking point is finding qualified and certified teachers. So, us having somebody who already has that skill set is really key.”

RMHS is taking steps towards the addition of ASL programs, but this will not be a short process. “Currently we are investigating the possible curricula for the course and looking at what the needs would be to acquire materials,” described Mahoney. As well there have recently been meetings with a World Language Leadership Group for the Reading School District as this would be an offering at not only the high school level, but as well in the middle schools.

“As we think about bringing ASL to Reading, there’s of course, the financial cost of paying for a teacher and materials, but there’s also the impact on other languages,” acknowledged Mahoney. The director recognized that the addition of these classes could take students away from other language courses and this must be weighed in their decision making, along with many other factors. 

Until the world language department is able to determine whether or not they will be able to offer ASL courses, Ryan has encouraged students who are interested to get involved with the ASL club, the Remind code is @c86g93.