- Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf
- Educational Interpreters
Educational Interpreters
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Educational interpreters are interpreters who work with deaf and hard of hearing students and educational staff who are also deaf or hard of hearing in K-12 school settings. They facilitate communication between the deaf or hard of hearing student(s), the instructor, staff members, and hearing students. Educational interpreters are an accommodation, determined by the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) committee.
Training and certification requirements to become an educational interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing students vary by state. In Texas, educational interpreters must hold either a BEI or RID certification. However, the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Diagnostic Center offers a diagnostic tool for those wanting feedback on interpreting skills.
About EIPA
The Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment Diagnostic Center provides training and assessments for interpreters who want to interpret for deaf and hard of hearing students in the K-12 classroom setting. The EIPA assessment measures an interpreter’s ability to translate:
- classroom content
- student discourse
- classroom discourse
The center also provides resources and training to local, state, and federal agencies and administrators to support the inclusion of educational interpreters in school programming.The EIPA assessment is not a certification pathway. Some states may request an EIPA score for qualifications. The EIPA assessment is not required for interpreters working in Texas schools.
For more information on EIPA testing, guidelines of professional conduct and screening, refer to the EIPA page on Classroom Interpreting.
Related Resources
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Classroom Interpreting
Classroom Interpreting is a centralized web resource of articles, addressing different topics for the use of educational interpreters. Categories are divided by:
- Parents
- Interpreters
- Administrators
- Students
- Teachers
- EPA
- Training Products
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Guides for Classroom Interpreting
Gallaudet University shares six guides on classroom interpreting. Each guide is written for a specific audience, such as a parent or an interpreter.
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Interpreter Certification Guidance
A web resource posted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), listing state rules and regulations for interpreters working in Texas educational settings.
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Interpreter Strategies from Texas School for the Deaf
Interpreting services at Texas School for the Deaf shares some resources on using educational interpreters. Originally developed for the Texas School for the Deaf community and its students, these resources can be applied to other classroom settings.
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National Association of Interpreters in Education
The National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAIE) is a members-only organization of interpreters that advocates and provides resources to support professional excellence and quality interpreting. Their Professional Guidelines for Interpreting in Educational Settings offers guidance on best practices and standards in educational interpreting.
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Standard Practice Paper: K-12 Educational Interpreting
The Standard Practice Paper: K-12 Educational Interpreting discusses various responsibilities and practices of the interpreter and educational institution. It is provided by the Registry for Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
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Texas Educational Interpreters Facebook group
Texas Educational Interpreters Facebook group is an online community of educational interpreters to interact with, as well as obtain information on new and upcoming opportunities for growth.
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The Texas Sensory Support Network (TXSSN)
The Texas Sensory Support Network (TXSSN) is an online resource maintained by ESC 11. Offers online interpreter training on the Community of Practice with opportunities to earn CEUS.