Welcome!

Inaugurated in 2006, the American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS) is an official program established by the national American Sign Language Teacher's Association to encourage and recognize high academic achievement in ASL studies. The ASLHS statement of purpose reads:

The American Sign Language Honor Society inspires high academic achievement in ASL studies, use of ASL in local community events, and fosters life-long enjoyment of visual language and culture through opportunities to engage ASL students with the Deaf World. Academic excellence is recognized in the form of official honor cords, the Alice Cogswell Medal, or the Laurent Clerc Medal, which may be worn during graduation or induction ceremonies.

The ASL Honor Society provides a venue for interested students to improve ASL language skills and cultural knowledge, and to share that information with peers, classmates, and the larger community. The mission of the ASL Honor Society is similar to honor societies for other languages:

   - To promote academic achievement
   - To encourage student use of American Sign Language
   - To improve awareness and understanding of Deaf culture
   - To expose the school community to various aspects of 
      ASL and Deaf culture, such as ASL literature, Deaf art, 
      and ASL storytelling 

ASL students with outstanding academic achievement and community service contributions are eligible to wear honor cords, the Alice Cogswell Medal, or the Laurent Clerc Medal in recognition of their dedication to and pursuit of excellence.

Additionally, ASLHS chapters are eligible to apply for scholarship funds for a variety of ASL-learning projects.

Establishing a chapter of the ASLHS demonstrates commitment to ASL teaching and learning excellence on your campus. Join today!

Sincerely,

Jason E. Zinza
ASL Honor Society National Coordinator