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March 2008 TAESE Newsletter 2 |
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Making It Happen With A Little Help From Your Friends
By: Christine Timothy, Utah State Office of Education
The Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) is a well-accepted instrument for educational interpreters across the nation. Beginning the arduous task of assessing and training educational interpreters is, at least, a huge mountain to climb and, at most, a satisfying educational experience. Assessing those who have prepared for educational interpreting in a consistent manner across time has been a topic of discussion in circles of deaf educators and interpreting programs in the country. The chance to be a part of a consortium of States where that consistency would be valued, those being assessed would be judged by the same guidelines and expectations, and guidance in the form of individualized reports about strengths and weaknesses for each participant has been particularly worthwhile. Because of the on-site testing and the commitment of the ASK12 proctors to achieve excellent scores, Utah's students are receiving better information and learning opportunities as the interpreter skills improve.
Utah has been a member of the ASK12 for the past five years. The advantage this has been to our educational interpreters is difficult to measure. Because of the aggregate data we have received from ASK12, we have been able to determine the strengths and weaknesses of our training programs. From this information, our school for the deaf and hard of hearing has increased substantially the inservice opportunities to work on specific interpreting skills. This allows individuals to access training on the skills they need. This inservice training has grown appreciatively in the past three years and has been the catalyst for change in the training curriculums around the State.
Our institutions of higher education have also been influenced by the results of the EIPA scores and the meaning these scores have in relation to abilities demonstrated by interpreters for student success. Several of our institutions of higher education have increased their class offerings for interpreters. Some have created separate programs and offered degrees for the first time. The data from the progress of those who take the EIPA has been instrumental in providing information for studies about the interpreter shortage across the State.
The information about the shortages of qualified educational interpreters and the growth of those taking the EIPA has given the impetus for the State Office of Education to provide monies and small grants for “interpreter initiatives.” The involvement in the ASK12 has also given additional information to the State of Utah about how other State programs for training are being conducted. The ASK12 will ultimately improve the skills of the interpreters and encourage them to move up in levels of competence and certification.
The Utah State Office of Education is currently sponsoring an Interpreter Mentoring Program. Only those educational interpreters who have a score of 3.8 or higher on the EIPA can apply for entrance into the program to become a mentor to those who have achieved scores from 2.0–3.5 on the EIPA. It is felt that those who have this mentor training as scheduled will be able to become a core of interpreters who will have the skills to work with those who need to improve specific skills in interpreting. This will allow some of our rural districts to receive excellent support for those who need further training.
At this time, further trainings and assessments from the ASK12 consortium will continue to enhance the quality of the educational interpreter skills in our State. The ability to contact other consortium States and problem solve with them continues to be instrumental in raising the scores for our educational interpreters. It is an important part of the success of the deaf and hard of hearing students in our schools. ASK12 is a great way to make things happen, with a little help from your friends.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 28 March 2008 )
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