Current Work from Clarke's Field Leaders
Learn more about Clarke’s research projects and best practices
Browse Recent Projects

Auditory Verbal Strategies to Build Listening and Spoken Language Skills
This resource was written for a professional audience although parents will benefit from it as well. Listening and spoken language strategies are referred to consistently in the field of listening and spoken language, but not defined in one body of work. This is an attempt to consolidate strategies in one resource with research references to further define and explain the strategy. Terms were utilized that the authors felt were most commonly understood in the professional field. A professional may refer to each strategy as needed when working with a particular child or family.

Guidance on the Application of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH)
Barbara Hecht, PhD, Clarke’s national director of strategic initiatives and partnerships, contributed to “Guidance on the Application of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH),” published by the Federation for Children with Special Needs. This guidance recommends best practices for IEP (Individualized Education Plan) teams to follow when considering the appropriate placement and learning environment for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

National Scan on State Early Intervention Telepractice Policies
This report contains synthesized information on telepractice policies for early intervention (EI) services in all 50 U.S. states. Information came from publicly available copies of legislation, secondary sources such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and conversations with relevant stakeholders in some states.

Linking Language Building Strategies to Serve & Return
Sherri Fickenscher, LSLS Cert. AVEd, Clarke teacher of the deaf and education support specialist, presented at the 2021 Council for Exceptional Children. Participants linked language learning strategies to one of the five steps of brain-building Serve & Return outlined by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.

Adapting and Optimizing Learning for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Their Families in Virtual Environments
Sherri Fickenscher, LSLS Cert. AVEd, Clarke teacher of the deaf and education support specialist, participated in a panel presentation at the AG Bell Global Virtual Listening and Spoken Language Symposium in July 2020.

Resilience: Breakthrough Impacts for Brain Architecture
Sherri Fickenscher, Clarke teacher of the deaf and education support specialist, presented at the 2019 AG Bell Symposium in Madrid, Spain.

tVISIT Expansion Project
Clarke has expanded its application of the tVISIT service-delivery model to New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. This expansion project focused on using teleservices to increase access to high-quality LSL early intervention services for children ages birth to three years who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Recent Clarke News

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech Welcomes Adriene Hobdy, EdD, to Board of Trustees
Clarke is pleased to announce the induction of Adriene Hobdy, EdD, to its Board of Trustees.

Honoring George H. Balsley II: A Tribute to Dedication and Legacy at Clarke
Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech honors the life and legacy of George H. Balsley II, whose dedication and service have left a profound impact on the Clarke community.

Clarke Florida Featured on News4Jax
Clarke was featured on News4Jax’s popular weekday morning segment, Positively JAX, highlighting the Clarke Ice Cream Run happening on March 22, 2025.
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