The Educational Resources for Children with Hearing Loss (ERCHL)

This committee is an advisory committee to the Bureau of Special Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education. Members are appointed by the Director of the Bureau of Special Education. Please see the ERCHL brochure for a description of responsibilities and a listing of current members.

ERCHL operates in the following ways:  

1. It responds to requests from the Bureau of Special Education to advise on specific matters related to the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing;
2. It brings to the attention of the Bureau of Special Education current issues pertaining to the education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
   
3. It advocates for and monitors standards of quality for educational personnel working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
4. It works collaboratively with other state agencies providing services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
   

ERCHL has most recently been involved in the development of the The Pennsylvania Agenda for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing -a roadmap to improving services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.  The development of the PA Agenda has led to the current Chapter 14 regulation requiring the use of a Communication Plan as part of the IEP process for students who have a hearing loss, and the establishment of regulations to govern the employment of Educational Interpreters, among other projects.