The Evolution of
Deaf Education in Utah
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Bronwyn O'Hara & Valerie G. Kinney
Contributing Editing by Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz
2006 - 2019
Edited by Bronwyn O'Hara & Valerie G. Kinney
Contributing Editing by Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz
2006 - 2019
Note
Standing at left is Frank M. Driggs, Superintendent of the USD, 1903.
After working on "The Evolution of Deaf Education in Utah" project, I have gained deep respect and appreciation for the Utah Association of the Deaf and their campaigning vigorously, tirelessly for the better education and services of the deaf. The key people are included in the document so their names can be remembered and honored. My hats off to UAD and the key people!
It is not intentional to make Utah School for the Deaf or particular parties look bad, but to help give a clear picture of what happened historically from the eyes of the Utah Deaf community and their allies, including hearing parents of deaf children. The History of Deaf Education in Utah has never been recorded from a deaf perspective and it should be a very valued perspective. Additionally, it is intended to highlight Utah Association of the Deaf, Utah Deaf community and Utah Deaf Education Core Group's fierce ongoing struggle to protect and preserve sign language and Utah School for the Deaf, including Jean Massieu School of the Deaf.
To those who have concerns about the manuscripts, I do not think we can attempt to hide, ignore or deny the profound effects of Dr. Grant B. Bitter, Dr. Karl White, Steven Noyce and oral advocates on our Utah Deaf History. After all, it is part of our history.
As Robert Heinlein stated, “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future,” it is vital for us to be aware of a long history of political controversy over the circumstances surrounding the inequality of deaf education that existed in Utah to become better advocate for deaf children’s rights to language and communication.
It is not intentional to make Utah School for the Deaf or particular parties look bad, but to help give a clear picture of what happened historically from the eyes of the Utah Deaf community and their allies, including hearing parents of deaf children. The History of Deaf Education in Utah has never been recorded from a deaf perspective and it should be a very valued perspective. Additionally, it is intended to highlight Utah Association of the Deaf, Utah Deaf community and Utah Deaf Education Core Group's fierce ongoing struggle to protect and preserve sign language and Utah School for the Deaf, including Jean Massieu School of the Deaf.
To those who have concerns about the manuscripts, I do not think we can attempt to hide, ignore or deny the profound effects of Dr. Grant B. Bitter, Dr. Karl White, Steven Noyce and oral advocates on our Utah Deaf History. After all, it is part of our history.
As Robert Heinlein stated, “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future,” it is vital for us to be aware of a long history of political controversy over the circumstances surrounding the inequality of deaf education that existed in Utah to become better advocate for deaf children’s rights to language and communication.
Acknowledgement
Reading class at USD, 1903
I am highly indebted to a number of people who were integral to the completion of this Evolution of Deaf Education in Utah project. I am grateful to all of them for their support and contribution to make this project happen. First and foremost, I want to thank my husband, Duane and my children, Joshua and Danielle for their endless patience with my obsession throughout this project over the years. This project has been ten years in the making, and would not have been possible without the help of many people. Notably, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Ned C. Wheeler, W. David Mortensen, Lloyd H. Perkins and other Utah Deaf leaders are commended for their bravery and vigilance in protecting the Deaf educational system from oral and mainstreaming influence.
I would like to show my deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to my father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner for sharing the fascinating Deaf Education History in Utah with me. Without his encouragement and guidance this project would not have materialized.
I would like to show my deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to my father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner for sharing the fascinating Deaf Education History in Utah with me. Without his encouragement and guidance this project would not have materialized.
USD Library, 1903
I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Robert G. Sanderson for inspiring me to do my homework to make this project happen. I also gratefully acknowledge the enthusiastic support from David Mortensen and Eleanor McCowan while working on the project. I also wanted to thank my parents, John and Jeanne Becker for being my supporter in completing this project.
Apart from my own efforts, I wanted to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to Valerie G. Kinney and Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz for donating their time revising and editing this document. My heartfelt appreciation goes to my editor, Bronwyn O’Hara’s contribution to editing.
Ironically as it may sound, I wanted to thank Dr. Grant B. Bitter for saving and donating his papers to the J. Willard Marriott Library at the University of Utah. The manuscripts would not have existed without his donation.
Finally, I wanted to thank Doug Stringham for sharing the version of the manuscript with Dr. Bryan K. Eldredge and making a senior level "special topics" class called "Deaf Education in Utah” possible at Utah Valley University in 2011 and again in 2016. I wanted to thank Dr. Eldredge for teaching this course in order to increase awareness of the deaf educational system in Utah and to become a better advocate for ASL/English bilingual education.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Apart from my own efforts, I wanted to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to Valerie G. Kinney and Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz for donating their time revising and editing this document. My heartfelt appreciation goes to my editor, Bronwyn O’Hara’s contribution to editing.
Ironically as it may sound, I wanted to thank Dr. Grant B. Bitter for saving and donating his papers to the J. Willard Marriott Library at the University of Utah. The manuscripts would not have existed without his donation.
Finally, I wanted to thank Doug Stringham for sharing the version of the manuscript with Dr. Bryan K. Eldredge and making a senior level "special topics" class called "Deaf Education in Utah” possible at Utah Valley University in 2011 and again in 2016. I wanted to thank Dr. Eldredge for teaching this course in order to increase awareness of the deaf educational system in Utah and to become a better advocate for ASL/English bilingual education.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Deaf Education History in Utah
I. National Deaf Education History
II. Origin and Early Beginnings of Utah School for the Deaf
II. Appendix A
III. Controversies Surrounding Communication/Educational Methods and Educational Placement Regarding Interpretation of “Least Restrictive Environment” in Utah
III. Appendices A-Q
IV. The Evolution of the ASL/English Bilingual Teaching Method in Utah
IV. Appendices A-H
V. In Danger: Deaf Education in Utah and Its Impact on ASL/English Bilingual Program as well as Inequality of Deaf Education in Utah
V. Appendices A-I
VI: Final Thoughts on Deaf Education in Utah
Read the materials for more information about the deaf education in Utah:
The Sociology of Utah School for the Deaf in the Utah Deaf Community
- Stringham, Doug & Leahy, Anne. (2013). 'Far Away, In the West:' The Emergence of Utah's Deaf Community, 1850-1910. (PDF)
- Kinner, Jodi B. & Kinney, Valerie G. (2015). Sociology of Utah School for the Deaf in the Utah Deaf Community, 1890-1960. (PDF)
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Social Gathering at Ned C. Wheeler's house,
Ogden, Utah in mid-1950s
Ogden, Utah in mid-1950s
Bottom Row (L-R): Robert Sanderson, Kimito Yokamura, Mary Sanderson, Edith Wheeler, Ned Wheeler, Donald Jensen, Vida White, Kenneth Burdett, Ray Wenger, George Laramie.
Second Row (L-R): Walter Zabel, Arthur Wenger, Marie Stone, ________, Mabel Driggs, Supt. Frank Driggs, Jack White, Katie Woodbury, Theo Logan, Elise Hertell, Georgia Walker, Edna Glenn.
Third Row (L-R): Ivy Low, Cyril Jones, Myrle (Edwards) Jones, Mae Stewart, Afton Burdett, Max Woodbury, Beth Jensen, Violet Zabel, Cleo Thorup, Milo Culter, Carlos Seegmiller, Gladys Wenger, Ralph Glenn.
Top Row (L-R): Frank Stone, Kay (Kinner) Curtis, LaVern Burnett, Joseph Burnett, Carl Hertell, Rodney Walker, Wayne Stewart, Verl Thorup, Robert Welsh, Lorraine Welsh, Hart Wenger.
Second Row (L-R): Walter Zabel, Arthur Wenger, Marie Stone, ________, Mabel Driggs, Supt. Frank Driggs, Jack White, Katie Woodbury, Theo Logan, Elise Hertell, Georgia Walker, Edna Glenn.
Third Row (L-R): Ivy Low, Cyril Jones, Myrle (Edwards) Jones, Mae Stewart, Afton Burdett, Max Woodbury, Beth Jensen, Violet Zabel, Cleo Thorup, Milo Culter, Carlos Seegmiller, Gladys Wenger, Ralph Glenn.
Top Row (L-R): Frank Stone, Kay (Kinner) Curtis, LaVern Burnett, Joseph Burnett, Carl Hertell, Rodney Walker, Wayne Stewart, Verl Thorup, Robert Welsh, Lorraine Welsh, Hart Wenger.
Special thanks to Keith E. Stewart, Utah School for the Deaf alumnus of 1958 for scanning and identifying the photos for this website. Much appreciation goes to his father, Wayne, a photographer and 1930 alumnus of Utah School for the Deaf for taking pictures to keep memories alive.