ASL Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (ASL CIA)
ASL CIA Background
Who We Are
ASL Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (ASL CIA) is a national professional community dedicated to strengthening American Sign Language as a core academic content area in PreK–12 Deaf education. Rooted in the legacy of the American Sign Language Roundtable (ASLRT), ASL CIA serves as a collaborative home for ASL educators, specialists, administrators, and leaders committed to advancing high-quality ASL curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
ASL CIA builds on more than two decades of collective work to reduce isolation among ASL professionals and to promote shared standards, research-informed practices, and culturally grounded approaches. Through professional learning, resource development, and national collaboration, ASL CIA supports the professionalization of ASL educators and the intentional development of ASL as a heritage language within Deaf education systems.
Together, we foster innovation, leadership, and a strong community of practice that centers Deaf experiences and advances equitable language and educational outcomes for Deaf learners.
Transcript: The American Sign Language Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (ASL CIA) fosters the environment of sharing and providing ASL educational resources for Deaf Heritage Language learners from early childhood through 12th grade.
The main objective is to provide teaching and learning materials in ASL Arts with three focused areas; curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Transcript: Hi, I’m Rory Osbrink from the California School for the Deaf, Fremont. I am a small part of a larger group that includes many people from different schools for the Deaf, colleges, and universities who worked together to develop the ASL National Standards.
ASL National Standards are intended to be skills that we expect students to achieve at their specific grade level. This essentially means that there are no curriculum, assessments, or pedagogy for instruction in ASL as a heritage language. It is a set of expected skills that each student should learn. You may find yourself wondering how to teach the standards, how to analyze them, and/or how to evaluate if students achieved the skills, and where to find resources. My recommendation? You reach out to ASLCIA. CIA – C stands for Curriculum, I for Instruction, and A for Assessment. ASLCIA consists of a group of dedicated and skilled experts in their respective fields who have worked to develop lessons to align with the standards. Are the lessons fully developed and ready to go for all the standards? No. However, we will continually develop more over time. If you have questions and/or concerns about the standards and how to utilize them, I would strongly recommend contacting ASLCIA and we will refer you to the appropriate professionals tailored for specific questions.
ASL CIA serves professionals working in PreK–12 Deaf education who are committed to advancing American Sign Language as a full academic content area through high-quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
We support:
- Schools and programs for the Deaf seeking collaborative support, shared standards, and evidence-informed practices
- ASL educators and specialists teaching ASL as a subject and supporting ASL development across content areas
- Deaf education teachers integrating ASL into instructional models
- School administrators and instructional leaders overseeing ASL programs, curriculum, and assessment systems
- Curriculum developers, researchers, and teacher educators contributing to the growth and professionalization of the field
ASL CIA operates as a national community of practice that brings ASL professionals together to collaborate, share expertise, and strengthen curriculum, instruction, and assessment in PreK–12 Deaf education. Through structured collaboration and professional learning, ASL CIA reduces isolation and supports consistent, high-quality ASL programming across schools and programs.
Educators and leaders can join by engaging in professional learning communities, attending ASL CIA and ASLRT-sponsored trainings and events, contributing curriculum resources or research, serving on committees, and partnering with ASL CIA to support program development and professional growth within their schools or organizations.
ASL CIA offers high-quality ASL curriculum and assessment resources through paid subscriptions designed to support PreK–12 Deaf education programs. These resources are developed by ASL educators and specialists and are grounded in Deaf-centered principles. Subscriptions provide schools and educators with access to structured curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and assessment tools that promote consistent, rigorous, and culturally responsive ASL instruction. Through ongoing updates and professional collaboration, ASL CIA ensures that materials remain relevant, research-informed, and aligned with best practices in ASL education.
The ASL CIA Summer Institute is an immersive professional learning experience designed for ASL educators and professionals working in PreK–12 Deaf education. The institute focuses on strengthening ASL curriculum, instruction, and assessment through hands-on workshops, collaborative learning, and research-informed practices. Participants engage with peers and field leaders to deepen their expertise, explore language-rich, culturally grounded approaches, and apply practical strategies they can bring directly back to their classrooms and programs. The Summer Institute also provides dedicated time for professional networking, reflection, and shared problem-solving, reinforcing ASL CIA’s commitment to building a strong national community of practice.