Some of the 2025 highlights of our data-based program decisions in the Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Deaf Education program were: 

• We increased OPTION school collaborations, consistent with our goal of addressing significant teacher shortages, by engaging with programs across the country for students to earn a Master of Education degree and a Deaf Education teaching license while remaining in their current work settings.
• The Utah State Board of Education issued a revised Student Teaching Competencies Evaluation Form and this was incorporated into the Listening and Spoken Language Deaf Education Master of Education program where students earn eligibility for the Utah Deaf Education Professional Educator License. We also expanded the student teaching portfolio for students to demonstrate competencies specific to Listening and Spoken Language Deaf Education Services. 
• Beginning Spring 2026, an oral exam was added to COMD 6880 for students to demonstrate mastery of essential knowledge prior to completion of the student teaching semester.