Minimum Standards For Interpreters
Important information regarding Minimum Standards for Educational Interpreters in Idaho
In September 2005, the Educational Interpreter Interagency Consortium (EIIC) presented information to the Idaho Special Education Advisory Panel concerning the need for minimum standards for sign language interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing students in Idaho.
The Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), an interpreter skills assessment, which measures the percentage of information that an interpreter is able to sign, had been given to nearly 79 percent of all educational interpreters in Idaho. Of those tested, only 19 percent were able to interpret 80 percent of classroom information, and over 40 percent were only able to interpret 30 percent or less of the classroom information. Research indicates that there is a correlation between academic achievements of students and the competency of their interpreters. If a student is presented with only a fraction of the information provided to others in the class, then the student is not receiving equal access to an education.
In March of 2006, the Idaho State Legislature passed a law requiring that all K-12 educational interpreters be required to meet both minimum competency and continuing education standards. However, this law does not apply post secondary education interpreters
It is vital that the State of Idaho ensures all students, including those enrolled in post secondary education, have equal access and opportunity to classroom information. For deaf and hard of hearing students, it is critical to have a skilled interpreter who can accurately present the information that is being taught. For this reason, we support expanding the legislation to include post secondary education.
For further information
For more information on the Educational Interpreter Act, please visit the Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.