1. Home
  2. Deaf/Hard of Hearing
  3. LEAD-K
  4. About LEAD-K (PA 256)

About LEAD-K (PA 256)

Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) is a national effort to provide language acquisition resources for parents and guardians of young children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH). 

In December 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan’s LEAD-K bill into law as Public Act 256 [PDF]. The legislation seeks to ensure that children who are DHH have a strong language foundation and are kindergarten-ready when they start school. It applies to children who are DHH and age 5 or younger.

The legislation provides for the creation of a tool parents and guardians may use to monitor and track the child’s language acquisition and developmental stages toward English literacy. The resource will include language developmental milestones and assessment tools families can use to assess their child’s language acquisition needs, as well as information about languages, modes of communication, and services and programs available to support families. The resource will be available by August 2025.

Another element of the legislation is identifying tools and assessments to be used by local school districts, intermediate school districts, public school academies, and the Michigan School for the Deaf to assess children’s language and literacy development. The tools and assessments will be implemented by September 2025. Finally, there will be a yearly report regarding the language and literacy development of children who are DHH and age 5 or younger as compared to their peers, beginning on July 1, 2026, and by July 1 of each year thereafter.

Committee Members and Partners

MDE-LIO has been given the oversight and funding to carry out the requirements of the legislation. PA 256 mandates an advisory committee, including defined roles, to ensure the development of resources aligned with the requirements of the legislation in Michigan. Members include advocates and professionals in the field of Deaf education and parents of children who are DHH. A steering committee has also been created, including invested partners who bring a range of perspectives and expertise. A leadership team provides direction in managing this work.

Learn about committee members and partners: LEAD-K Committee Members and Partners

Resources

Timeline for Implementing PA 256

Below is a proposed timeline and activities for implementing PA 256 in Michigan:

  • October/November 2023: Fiscal agent established.
  • October 2023: List of potential advisory committee members finalized (advocates and professionals within the field of education for students who are DHH and parents of children who are DHH).
  • December 2023: Project coordinator and key roles established; MDE-LIO conducts informational virtual town hall meeting.
  • December 2023: Michigan Department of Education (MDE) meets with advisory committee to firm up timelines, roles, and requirements.
  • January – June 2024: Committee gathers information and input from stakeholders and experts (regional, statewide, and out-of-state).
  • June – December 2024: Committee reviews and formalizes information, seeking follow-up input where needed.
  • January 2025: Committee makes recommendations.
  • February/March 2025: MDE reviews recommendations and takes any changes back to committee.
  • April 2025: MDE works with local schools and intermediate school districts (ISDs) on assessments and tools for assessing the language and literacy development of children, ages 0–5, who are DHH.

Contact

Join the Facebook group: Michigan LEAD-K Facebook group

Questions: Email Elizabeth Flores at [email protected]