It is well known that the working poor are at a disadvantage when it comes to these programs, and this is where Quota steps in to help, particularly when the student is non-traditional or, beyond the typical or traditional age for an entry-level student.

Additionally, in the Quota tradition of assisting the hearing impaired, or those who assist the hearing impaired, the club assisted a graduate-level student who is involved in obtaining a degree in this discipline.

According to Donna Era, president of Quota International of Cambridge, "We are particularly proud of reaching even greater numbers in the community by providing courses in American Sign Language for the educators of Dorchester County." This is accomplished in cooperation with Chesapeake College, which provides the instructor for the course.

With funds raised from the Derby Day event, Quota pays for the instructor and the texts. Not only does this course provide training for the teachers to use with students who are hearing impaired, they can also share their knowledge with un-impaired students who will feel empowered to communicate with those who have hearing difficulties.

Quota has proved two sessions of this course to teachers at Maple Elementary and Hurlock Elementary. The most recent class in Hurlock had 16 participants.

Teachers could earn two continuing professional development credits from MSDE for participating, and eight teachers took advantage of this. While there are currently no deaf students at Hurlock, there are several children with multiple disabilities who use sign language to help them communicate.

Among the participants were special education teachers, teachers who are the parents of children with disabilities, grandparents of children with disabilities, Head Start teachers and regular education teachers who recognize the benefits of using sign in their classrooms.

Word of this opportunity for signing instruction has spread throughout the school system and this year Quota is sponsoring an additional course, which is being held at Sandy Hill Elementary. There is a deaf student there who has an interpreter and, as a result, there has been much interest from the Sandy Hill staff.

Donna Greenleaf, Special Education coordinator for the Dorchester Board of Education said, "We are anticipating 15-20 students and the same instructor who taught the Hurlock group this fall, Teresa Slater."

By Newszap.com
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2006/02/18/dm/eastern_shore_of_maryland/cam04.txt