Teacher reports of ASL literacy instruction in deaf education

The development of American Sign Language (ASL) literacy (or signacy) in deaf students is influenced by the exposure and instruction they receive, yet research on current ASL teaching practices remains limited. This study investigates how teachers in deaf education approach ASL literacy instruction through a nationwide survey and focus groups. The research explored six key areas: curriculum and standards, instructional methods, time allocation, genre instruction, and teacher preparation. Findings indicate that while ASL literacy instruction is recognized as an important component of bilingual education, it lacks formalized curricula, sufficient instructional time, and structured instructional approaches. These findings suggest a need for increased research, professional development, and institutional support to enhance ASL literacy instruction in deaf education.