The objective of this study was to uncover the beliefs regarding the purpose and future of residential deaf schools among State Directors of Special Education and Superintendents of residential schools for the deaf. In order to achieve the objective of the study, a positioned subjects approach within a qualitative methods design was used. Six State Directors of Special Education and seven Superintendents of residential schools were interviewed about their opinions and beliefs about the current and future roles of the residential school(s) in their states. Additionally, relevant documents and artifacts pertinent to the schools represented in the study were reviewed. Data were analyzed using an interpretivist approach and themes and emergent patterns were identified. The results of this study revealed that respondents held differing opinions regarding both the current and future roles of the deaf schools. Furthermore, a number of different factors appeared to influence a respondent's ideas for future roles including hearing status, interpretations of LRE, costs per student concerns, and parental reluctance to send children away as residents, Based on the information uncovered, possible strategies for addressing declining enrollment are presented as well as suggestions for supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing students statewide. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]