The Abrupt Transition to Online Learning: Multiple Perspectives.

Transitioning to virtual learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic made the numerous obstacles faced by deaf and hard of hearing students more apparent, and created new challenges for all involved. From this experience, much knowledge was gained that can continue to be implemented and researched to provide better access and accommodations for ongoing online education. In the present article, we introduce an American Annals of the Deaf Special Issue whose contributing authors offer a response to the challenges experienced by deaf education researchers, administrators, policymakers, faculty, and other educators in areas ranging from early childhood to higher education, as well as students and families, because of the abrupt transition to virtual learning. This Special Issue provides perspectives, strategies, and scenarios that can enhance deaf education across age and grade ranges and augment the research and literature base of online learning in deaf education.

Deaf Education Teachers and Online Instruction: Ensuring Equity in Instructional Activities and Collaboration.

The changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more virtual instruction in schools. Teachers experienced multiple new challenges while moving online. As Fleming (2020) notes, "Unlike developing a whole-class lesson plan online, special education teachers are now tasked with developing unique plans for every student that align with their IEPs [individualized education programs], as required by federal mandate" (p. 1). In the present article, we consider how to best incorporate active learning, engagement, and critical thinking into an online learning environment while supporting language and social development for all students. Alexander (2020) notes the importance of socialization, observing that the loss of face-to-face interactions decreases students' confidence and affects their mental health. We also consider how to meaningfully incorporate social interaction, engagement, and active learning to support deaf and hard of hearing students in developing a sense of classroom and school community.

Virtual Assessment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in the Schools.

The COVID-19 pandemic placed stress on all aspects of the educational system. Many state departments of education acknowledged the disruption to individualized education program evaluation and implementation but insisted that evaluation timelines and services continue undisrupted. School psychologists were therefore forced to navigate the viability of virtual assessment without established research supporting this type of student evaluation. Formal assessments used in the identification of learning disabilities and other areas of disability were not standardized with virtual administration procedures; however, many test publishers have offered guidelines for online administration. These guidelines may not be suitable for test administration with deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children. Through the presentation of two case studies, this article explores some of the available administration guidelines and evaluates their appropriateness for use with DHH children. Information in this article informs current practice of school psychology in a virtual environment.

Reflections From the Pandemic: Lessons Learned.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children experienced multiple challenges while transitioning from traditional to online schooling. Teachers, administrators, and parents were expected to work together to provide students an optimal educational experience through those turbulent times. This experience generated new insights into how to teach deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students and assess their knowledge. New tools were invented and used during the pandemic, and though teachers and students are slowly returning to traditional learning environments, educators now know that alternative forms of teaching and learning exist. We acknowledge the ways teachers, administrators, and parents can innovate and bring new knowledge to the table. The present article introduces an American Annals of the Deaf Special Issue that offers further research and discussion in the event that another, comparable challenge occurs. Multiple issues must be considered in DHH education, from academic rigor to social-emotional wellness.