The Center for Research and Training (CRT) at The Learning Center for the Deaf actively supports culturally and linguistically accessible education for deaf and hard of hearing students by engaging in critical research, creating innovative educational resources, and providing evidence-based training.
Inside CRT
American Sign Language Assessment Instrument (ASLAI)
Originated by Robert Hoffmeister, PhD, The American Sign Language Assessment Instrument (ASLAI) is designed to track the yearly progression of ASL and English print literacy over time for students ages 4-18. The ASLAI consists of eleven receptive tasks: five related to vocabulary, three pertaining to syntax, and two reasoning and comprehension tasks. The ASLAI is now available to schools, states, and programs throughout the country on a contract basis.
Before each administration, we obtain background information of participants to include educational history, reading and math scores, family history, and biographical information. Each test administration at a school typically takes place over the course of one week, with customized reports then available within 60 days after the administration. CRT will customize services based on the number of students, programs, or number of schools/districts within a state.
ASL Clear
ASL Clear (ASLClear.org) is an online American Sign Language STEM Concept Learning Resource featuring instructional modules presented by Deaf STEM content experts.
CRT provides professional development in the use of ASL Clear to support STEM education.
Currently, we are engaged in research projects using ASL Clear with Worcester Polytechnic Institute funded by The National Science Foundation.
ASL Clear was initially funded through a partnership among MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Boston University, and The Learning Center for the Deaf.
Test Translation Services
CRT possesses substantive expertise in translating written and spoken English materials into ASL, and producing translations to video. Currently, CRT is contracted to provide translation of standardized tests into American Sign Language. CRT partners Atlantic Media Productions, LLC, to provide video production of these translations.
American Sign Language Assessment Instrument (ASLAI)
Originated by Robert Hoffmeister, PhD, The American Sign Language Assessment Instrument (ASLAI) is designed to track the yearly progression of ASL and English print literacy over time for students ages 4-18. The ASLAI consists of eleven receptive tasks: five related to vocabulary, three pertaining to syntax, and two reasoning and comprehension tasks. The ASLAI is now available to schools, states, and programs throughout the country on a contract basis.
Before each administration, we obtain background information of participants to include educational history, reading and math scores, family history, and biographical information. Each test administration at a school typically takes place over the course of one week, with customized reports then available within 60 days after the administration. CRT will customize services based on the number of students, programs, or number of schools/districts within a state.
ASL Clear
ASL Clear (ASLClear.org) is an online American Sign Language STEM Concept Learning Resource featuring instructional modules presented by Deaf STEM content experts.
CRT provides professional development in the use of ASL Clear to support STEM education.
Currently, we are engaged in research projects using ASL Clear with Worcester Polytechnic Institute funded by The National Science Foundation.
ASL Clear was initially funded through a partnership among MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Boston University, and The Learning Center for the Deaf.
Test Translation Services
CRT possesses substantive expertise in translating written and spoken English materials into ASL, and producing translations to video. Currently, CRT is contracted to provide translation of standardized tests into American Sign Language. CRT partners Atlantic Media Productions, LLC, to provide video production of these translations.
CRT led a one-day professional development workshop, Bilingual/bicultural education for Deaf children and language acquisition, for teachers and administrators at Cleary School for the Deaf. The professional development was engaging, interesting, and informative. The CRT staff were knowledgeable, professional and very approachable.
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Key Staff
Jeanne Reis is the director of CRT and the ASL Clear project director. As CRT director, she oversees consultancies with schools, districts, and states on effective bilingual instruction and assessment practices and partners with universities to advance research related to bilingual education. As ASL Clear project director, Jeanne partners with collaborators to develop new content in ASL Clear, offer ASL STEM professional development workshops, and conduct research. Jeanne also engages teams of Deaf subject matter experts to provide standardized test translation into ASL for assessment consortia and states. She served as an ASL and Math content expert for the Guidelines for Accessible Assessments Project, an 18-state, multi-year research and coalition effort funded by The U.S. Department of Education. Jeanne holds a Master’s degree in Education from Boston University, a BA in Linguistics from University of Southern Maine, and a Master Mentor Certificate from University of Colorado Boulder. Jeanne is the daughter of Deaf parents and a heritage signer of American Sign Language.
