The Nebraska State Board of Education adopted a policy Wednesday recognizing American Sign Language as a national language that can be offered in elementary through high school classes. Forty-one other states recognize ASL as a language for public schools and more than 100 four-year universities accept it for foreign language requirements.

A survey of state education departments by the Teachers College of Columbia University showed at least 701 public high schools offering sign language classes in 2004, up from 456 in 2000 and 185 in 1995.

This article, written by Kevin O'Hanlon, appeared in the June 8th, 2006 publication of The Associated Press.

Published Tuesday, Jun. 13, 2006