Yes, there are a handful of us that teach neutral/horizontal ascents/ balanced rig etc.........of the agencies I teach for, only 1 requires it but its incorporated into all my courses.
As mentioned, a vertical ascent is an option but it certainly has lots of issues for newbies as they have an overwhelming tendency to kick up instead of using their lungs as well as silting out the bottom. Further, if vertical, they incorporate that position into both ascents and decents which creates more problems. most, if not all, are corrected by teaching proper horizontal positioning from the very beginning, makes teaching follow on skills much easier.
As mentioned, a vertical ascent is an option but it certainly has lots of issues for newbies as they have an overwhelming tendency to kick up instead of using their lungs as well as silting out the bottom. Further, if vertical, they incorporate that position into both ascents and decents which creates more problems. most, if not all, are corrected by teaching proper horizontal positioning from the very beginning, makes teaching follow on skills much easier.