INFORMING PARENTS ABOUT EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS - HOW WELL ARE WE DOING

This study explores an aspect of information delivery to parents by fo cusing on those who have chosen residential school placements for thei r children. Although most parents choose to send their deaf children t o special programs in regular public schools, some do opt for resident ial school placements. Little is known about the foundations on which such decisions are made, and this study is a preliminary attempt to be tter understand parents' motives and expectations and to assess the ad equacy of information provided to them. In 128 surveys from a sample o f parents nationwide, a surprising number reported that they were not given information about placement options. Of those who were, many sai d they were dissatisfied with the information. A large proportion of t he parents were satisfied with the residential school. The relationshi ps among their reasons for this placement, their views of the advantag es and disadvantages, and the information provided to them are discuss ed.