The Learning Center for the Deaf

The Learning Center for the Deaf (TLC) is a school for deaf and hard-of-hearing children located in Framingham, Massachusetts, with a branch campus located in Randolph, Massachusetts.  TLC offers a challenging program of academic excellence for Deaf students from infancy through high school.  The Learning Center's curriculum fosters knowledge and respect for both American Sign Language (ASL) and English, and for American Deaf and hearing cultures.

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History

Established in 1970 as The Learning Center for Deaf Children, The Learning Center was the first school for the Deaf in Massachusetts to depart from the "oral method" of education and to advocate the use of signs in addition to spoken English.  During the 1970s the school created a student-centered curriculum with "open classroom" formats.  An initial enrollment of 22 students quickly grew and the school expanded: in 1974 with the addition of a preschool program, in 1978 with the establishment of a special needs program for Deaf children who have cognitive or behavior disabilities, and in 1979 with the addition of a parent-infant program, one of the first programs to provide Deaf infants exposure to signs in addition to spoken English and to offer parents instruction in the use of signs.  A high school began in 1980 and a group residence for high school students began the following year.  In 1987, a residential treatment program for behaviorally and emotionally disturbed Deaf students opened in the school's "Walden House."  A new facility for these students was completed and occupied in December 1995 with a capacity of 30 students and is now called Walden School.  In 1994, The Learning Center opened a preschool–elementary program in Randolph, Massachusetts. On July 1, 2007, the school legally changed its name to The Learning Center for the Deaf.

Philosophy

The Learning Center continues to be at the forefront of Deaf Education as it addresses issues of language and culture at the school.  In 1988, The Learning Center made a commitment to become a Bi-lingual Bi-cultural school emphasizing both American Sign Language and English and Deaf culture and other American cultures on the Framingham campus.  American Sign Language is the primary language in the classroom and on campus; English is taught as a second language.  In 1989 The Learning Center became the first school for the Deaf in the U.S. with a Deaf Parent Infant Coordinator.  Deaf role models are an integral part of the academic environment.  The philosophical commitment to a Bilingual School represents a shift in power in Deaf education and an attempt to bring together the combined strengths of Deaf and hearing professionals, parents and the Deaf community and students to create an empowering learning environment.

Framingham Campus

The main campus of The Learning Center is located in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Walden School

Walden School is a nonprofit, nationally-recognized educational institution which provides comprehensive treatment and educational services for Deaf youth between the ages of 8 and 21 who are challenged by severe social and emotional difficulties.  These may be the result of childhood trauma, mental illness, and/or organic dysfunctions.  Walden School offers school-calendar and 12 month residential services, as well as an option for day programming only.

Randolph Campus

TLC’s South Shore campus, in Randolph Massachusetts, was established in September 1994.  Randolph has two main programs for children ages preschool through elementary years.

1. Deaf Education Program - for Deaf children and Hard-of-Hearing children including those who utilize cochlear implant technology.
2. Language Access Program - for hearing children who depend on sign language for access to learning and communication.

Randolph also has a Parent-Infant Program for Deaf children ages 0 to 3 years and their families.

External links

• School website
• Walden School website