Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) is a nationwide movement to support children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) in developing a full foundation of language by kindergarten. LEAD-K prioritizes providing language acquisition resources to parents and guardians of young children who are DHH. In 2022, Michigan passed its LEAD-K bill into law as Public Act 256 (PA 256). Read on for answers to frequently asked questions about LEAD-K implementation in Michigan.
Why is LEAD-K important?
LEAD-K addresses the critical and ongoing issue of language deprivation in children who are DHH by promoting early and accessible language acquisition. Without this early access to a fully accessible language, children who are DHH miss out on important opportunities to build the cognitive, social, and academic foundations that support lifelong learning and development. The LEAD-K movement seeks to ensure that children who are DHH are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.
What are the key components of LEAD-K Michigan?
- Parent resources to track and monitor language development and support the journey toward kindergarten readiness.
- Language milestones for DHH children ages 5 and younger.
- Recommended assessments to track and evaluate language development.
- Data reporting to inform a statewide annual report on language outcomes.
What is the role of early intervention/school personnel in LEAD-K implementation?
Provide comprehensive and unbiased information and resources on communication and language and help families understand the importance of language development during the critical early years.
- Support families in using the language milestones to track and monitor language development.
- Regularly assess and monitor language development for all children who are DHH, ages 5 and younger.
- Direct families to the LEAD-K Michigan parent resource website for additional information.
- Inform families of the LEAD-K Michigan language outcomes data collection.
What are the LEAD-K Michigan recommended assessments?
The LEAD-K Michigan advisory committee has recommended the following assessments:
- ASL Expressive Skills Test
- ASL Receptive Skills Test
- Arizona Articulation and Phonology Scale
- Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, Preschool (CELF-P3)
- Communication Matrix
- Cottage Acquisition Scales for Listening, Language, & Speech (CASLLS)
- Developmental Assessment of Young Children (DAYC-2)
- MacArthur Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MB-CDI & ASL-CDI)
- Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale
- Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Test (REEL-4)
- Visual Communication and Sign Language Checklist (VCSL)
How often should assessments be completed?
All children should be assessed at intervals that effectively support tracking and monitoring their individual receptive and expressive language development. Timing is a determination of the child's educational team.
How many assessments should be completed?
Educational teams should look at each child’s unique needs and development when deciding which assessments to use and how many. There should be enough assessments to accurately monitor the child’s receptive and expressive language development.
Who should complete the assessments?
Please refer to the assessment’s publisher for guidance on the qualifications necessary to administer each assessment.
Can other assessments be used?
Yes. Schools shall administer the recommended assessments or any other assessment used to assess the development of children with disabilities as required by federal law to a child who is DHH and is age 5 or younger.
How do providers report language outcomes?
MDE RDHH has partnered with the University of Colorado – Boulder’s Early Language Outcomes (ELO) Lab in collecting assessment data. Providers who have been trained on how to report data may submit assessment data directly to ELO.
Is reporting language outcomes data mandatory?
No. However, your participation, upon parent consent, is appreciated and will be useful for identifying statewide trends and gaps.
What resources or training opportunities are available for early intervention/school personnel?
MDE RDHH is currently offering multiple training opportunities related to data collection procedures. Trainings on specific assessment tools will be rolled out in spring 2026. Stay up to date on the latest news and updates from MDE RDHH by subscribing to our email list.