Legislation sponsored by state Assembly Republican Deputy Conference Leader Mary Pat Angelini allowing American Sign Language to fill the state’s high school requirement for world language was recently signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie.
“American Sign Language is the fastestgrowing language offered at U.S. colleges and the fourth most commonly used language in the country,” said Angelini (RMonmouth). “This new law will be a significant benefit for more than 850,000 New Jersey residents with some degree of hearing loss.”
Angelini’s bill permits students studying sign language to meet any state or local graduation requirements for world language, according to a press release from the assemblywoman.
“For students, we are opening the doors to careers in hearing-impaired fields by providing the opportunity for high school students to learn to sign at an earlier age. Like Spanish, Italian, or any language, an earlier introduction makes it easier to master American Sign Language,” Angelini said.