TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Public Schools Office of World Languages has announced a partnership with the Community College of Baltimore County Communication Arts Department to support BCPS high school students in studying American Sign Language.

Through this partnership, high school students will be able to enroll in ASL Level 1 and 2 courses at CCBC and to earn both high school and college credits for the courses. Students will have the option to continue learning after high school in CCBC’s ASL and Interpreter Preparation Program.

“We are enthusiastic about this collaboration and the career possibilities it will offer our BCPS students to increase their cultural understanding and communication skills,” said Jennifer Hernandez, BCPS director of World Languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

Through the BCPS/CCBC Tuition Free Program, all high school students can take an unlimited number of CCBC courses during their high school careers. The program covers the costs of tuition, fees, and books. Students are only responsible for the cost of supplies (if needed). This opportunity is open to all BCPS high school students, regardless of their grade point averages. (Students, however, must take CCBC’s placement exams to test into credit-bearing courses.)