By authority of Act 199 approved July 9, 1976, the school name was changed to, Scranton State School for the Deaf. The change of name reflected a change in both communication philosophy and teaching methodologies. As an "oral" school only verbal means of communication were allowed, with instruction accomplished through listening, lipreading, speaking and natural gestures. In the mid-60's the commonwealth mandated multiple means of communication be used to educate deaf students. The school initially adopted the Rochester Method combining all spoken communication with simultaneous fingerspelling of every word said. This method was followed quickly by the adoption of a "Total Communication" method-- defined on campus as simultaneously presenting all spoken English with an equivalent sign using a form of "Signed English."

On June 30, 2009, the Pennsylvania State Department of Education closed SSSD. The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD), a private school operating in Pittsburgh with a satellite location in Camp Hill, PA, stepped in and opened the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children (SSDHHC) on the former SSSD campus. SSDHHC continues the mission of providing the highest quality educational programs and services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students of all ages, their families, and others who may benefit.

Today SSDHHC maintains an all inclusive communication/language environment with a goal of fluency in both English and American Sign Language (ASL). All staff and students interact freely without language barriers. Students participate fully in every aspect of campus life.

SSDHHC's history comes alive in the Heritage Center located on the third floor of the original building of the school (now called the Superintendent's residence). Exhibits recount the story of the founding of the school, the communication strategies employed over the years and the advances in technology seen over the past century. The museum is made available to the public by appointment. It is listed as one of the sites to see for visitors to Scranton.

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