If parents ever decide to send their children to mainstreamed schools, it is important that these schools provide interpreters who are well-trained. Normally, I would prefer interpreters to be certified by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (R.I.D.) and be at least Level 1 with regular evaluation by an experienced interpreter.
It is important to be aware that Instructional Aides should not act like an interpreter because of several factors: 1) This would be a conflict of interest because they were trained to be Instructional Aides. 2) They are not trained as an interpreter. Also, BOTH interpreters and Instructional Aides would need to be good with American Sign Language (ASL) which enables them to communicate with Deaf students effectively.
Schools for the Deaf across the nation does have many advantages over mainstreamed schools. At a certain school for the Deaf, all teachers know sign language therefore, interpreters are not required. Deaf children often have more opportunities to socialize with their peers. They also have many opporunities to participate in organizations and sports whereas they may not have the same opportunites at a mainstreamed school. At schools for the deaf, many Deaf students are exposed to Deaf culture greatly compared to mainstreamed schools whereas the number of Deaf students attending may range between 1 and 40. That depends on where the schools are located in.