Hiring criteria, duties, and professional growth opportunities for residential staff at schools for the deaf: A survey

Seventy-three schools identifying themselves as having a residential progra m for deaf students were surveyed to determine demographic information abou t dormitory staff, qualifications required for employment in the residentia l program, opportunities for continuing education, and issues relating to t he roles and responsibilities of dorm employees. The data showed that schoo ls are committed to providing in-service education for the dorm workers but have minimal educational requirements for employment in their residential programs. The data were compared to the Conference of Educational Administr ators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) Certification Requiremen ts for Dormitory Counselors. Recommendations are made in regard to the upda ting of the CEASD certification requirements; the authors also recommend th at schools make a stronger commitment to upholding those requirements.