2025 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 9-11, 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA
3/19/2024 | 9:40 AM - 10:35 AM | Language Acquisition Data Project | Capitol 2
Language Acquisition Data Project
Early access to language plays a critical role in language acquisition and development. Language proficiency is central to the development of the whole child, school readiness, and long-term outcomes. The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB), Arizona’s Part C provider of services for infants and toddlers who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, and deafblind, collects and stores data on language acquisition/outcomes in their student information system. ASDB’s student information system communicates directly with the Arizona Department of Education’s database that collects and stores data on all students across Arizona, preschool through grade 12. The team of stakeholders will share a) the pros and cons of bridging a birth to age three database with a preschool through grade 12 database, b) the short term and long-term goals, and c) the progress that has been made thus far.
- Participants will learn about the collaborative approach between EHDI and its stakeholders in pulling together data across federal and state programs.
- Participants will learn about the language assessments used to monitor children’s language acquisition and development and their selection criteria.
- Participants will learn about the process of selecting and defining data elements, collecting and analyzing language acquisition data, and using findings to inform public policy and student outcomes.
Presentation:
3478265_16422KendraBenedict.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
3478265_16422KendraBenedict.docx
Presenters/Authors
Kendra Benedict
(Primary Presenter,Co-Author), Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, kendra.benedict@asdb.az.gov;
Dr. Kendra Benedict is an experienced leader in the education of children who are deaf/hard of hearing. As the statewide director of the Early Learning Program under the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB), she is responsible for the oversight of the deliverly of IDEA Part C and B services to children from birth to age five who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, and deafblind since 2019. With 30 years of experience in the field, Dr. Benedict has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with disabilities throughout their lives. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Special Education from the University of Arizona, a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Northern Arizona University, and both principal and teacher certifications from the State of Arizona.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Laura Hocknull
(Co-Presenter,Author,Co-Author), Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, laura.hocknull@asdb.az.gov;
Laura Hocknull is a Supervising Teacher for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind's Early Learning Program. ASDB-ELP provides IDEA Part C services for Arizona children birth to age 3 who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, and deafblind. ASDB-ELP works in partnership with the Arizona Early Learning Program (AzEIP), Arizona's statewide Part C coordinator. Laura holds teacher certification from the State of Arizona, an M.S. in Deaf Education from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. Laura has served as a Teacher of the Deaf for 30 years. She began her career at the Mississippi School for the Deaf before relocating to Arizona. Laura has been working in early intervention for 26 years. In 2024, Laura, mother to 3 incredible young men, became grandmother to a beautiful little boy, who was diagnosed with hearing differences. While every day is exciting and new, her favorite days are those spent with family.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Lylis Olsen
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), The EAR Foundation of Arizona, lylisolsen@msn.com;
Lylis Olsen is the State EHDI Coordinator in Arizona. She is a pediatric audiologist with 35years of experience. She also has a Master's degree in Public Health and has 28 years experience in state newborn hearing screening programs. She works with the EAR Foundation of Arizona on education, advocacy and promoting services for families and their children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Lylis also manages the HEAR for Kids, a unique program that serves as a safety net for children in need of loaner cochlear implants or hearing aids, permanent hearing aids or access to all levels of diagnostic audiology services.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The EAR Foundation of Arizona.
Nature: none.
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with The EAR Foundation of Arizona.
Nature: none.