Deaf Student Not Allowed to Finish

Central Michigan University has told a student that she can't graduate because she wants an interpreter. Kelly Laatsch has finished all the classes necessary to become an elementary teacher for deaf children - except for her student teaching requirement. Deaf since birth, Laatsch asked the school for an interpreter - but was told by the director of Student Disability Services she would not pass and get her degree if she has an interpreter because the Michigan Department of Education Teaching Technical Standards requires student teachers to “understand and speak in English.” Laatsch has filed a civil rights complaint against the school and is waiting the outcome of the investigation.