The MSU College of Education is planning to discontinue the program preparing special education teachers for K-12 students who are blind, visually impaired and deaf blind (“Blind decision,” SN 6/4). This development has arisen with the departure of a faculty member who served as the primary administrator of the program.
The teachers of this unique program are trained to empower these children with skills imperative to leading successful lives - educationally and economically as well as socially. The skills include, but are not exclusive to: Braille literacy, training in daily living skills, assistive technology, Tactile Sign Language and Orientation and Mobility (using a white cane and other mobility aids to safely traverse one’s environment).
In 1990 the college attempted to close this same program but was thwarted by a public display of support by consumers, students, parents and legislators who recognized the critical nature of the program.
As a legally blind student at MSU, I have many personal reasons to oppose such a decision. Yet instead of relating my personal success, which I owe to individuals who have chosen to pursue such a career, I would rather crystallize the issue by relating the cutting of this vital program to the MSU Promise.
The Promise sets five goals to achieve by MSU’s 150th anniversary in 2005:
1. MSU will offer one of the best undergraduate educations available by providing the advantages of intellectual inquiry at a major research university and practical learning in the land grant tradition.
MSU has already distinguished itself by providing a progressive and excellent program that attracts many bright people, preparing them to venture into the greater community to make life better for our society as a whole. Yet teaching alone is inadequate. A tenured position must be established for leadership in research for the program. The College of Education’s failure to do so in recent years is clearly inconsistent with the protocol of a major research institution.
2. MSU will extend its national and international prominence in research, creative arts and graduate and graduate/professional education, through selective investment in programs of distinction and unusual promise.
Regarding the program to be cut, MSU has already accomplished this goal, for it has the only program for teachers of deaf blind children in Michigan and only one of two or three in the country. A decision not to retain this program would effectively abandon its stature, which its faculty has so diligently established during the past 50 years.
3. MSU will be a great global university, serving Michigan and the world.
With its innovative distance learning approach, MSU has already positioned itself to have a world reach. However, within Michigan there is a shortage of qualified teachers of the visually impaired, and there is no other program to teach teachers of the deaf blind in our state. Clearly MSU has accomplished this promise to blind children. We must not retreat from this important commitment.
4. MSU will be an exemplary “engaged university,” transforming and strengthening outreach partnerships to address key Michigan needs and developing broadly applicable models.
Again, MSU has already kept this promise with the program for teacher preparation for teachers of the visually impaired by developing a highly sought distance learning program. The program should be rewarded for its innovations and dedication to the community in its adherence to the MSU Promise.
5. MSU will be a more diverse and connected community.
Consider the isolation of people who are deaf blind. What could be a stronger statement by MSU than to provide a program that eliminates isolation for this group? How could MSU do more for diversity than by helping these people with disabilities have opportunity? MSU must continue this important program.
Funding is clearly not an issue for the retention of this program. The recently secured $1.5 million grant will more than adequately fund the program for the next five years. Additionally, the grant furthers opportunities to recruit a suitable tenure-track faculty member to fill the recently vacated leadership position.
The College of Education has blocked enrollment in the program before an official decision has even been made. This blockage has effectively contributed to the shortage of these teachers by creating a year’s gap of lost education, clearly inconsistent with MSU’s Promise.
This program has been, is now and can continue to be a leader in the field of special education teacher preparedness, consistent with MSU’s proud tradition of doing so for more than 50 years. This proud tradition parallels all aspects of MSU’s land grant mission, our Guiding Principles and the MSU Promise derived thereof.
Daniel Furton
political science junior
