Special Education Subjects Reference
Educational Interpreting

Information Update Bulletin 99.04, Role of Educational Interpreters

This bulletin was created in 1999 in a Q and A format. The information still addresses many of the questions that come to DPI on the role of Educational Interpreters.

List of Wisconsin and neighboring interpreter preparation programs

Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), September 2001

Educational Interpreter Model Job Performance Rubric

Teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing and Educational Interpreters co-created a document that may be used by school principals or other education administrators when conducting a job performance evaluation for educational interpreters on staff. This rubric addresses employee competencies unique to their work without addressing actual interpreting skill. It is available site for districts or schools to use or modify as appropriate to meet their needs.

License Renewal Requirements - Educational Interpreters

In order to renew their license, all educational interpreters are required to take and "pass" a national test of their interpreting skills as part of their 6 credits or PDP. The test used in Wisconsin is the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), and it counts as one credit toward license renewal. The EIPA is owned, created, and scored by staff at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.

The EIPA is a videotaped test of interpreting skill that is used in more than 28 states to determine "qualified staff." It is scored from 1 (low) to 5 (high). The "passing score" in Wisconsin is 3.0 or better. Each year, DPI staff proctor the EIPA at CESA’s throughout the state on a Friday evening and Saturday traveling to even number CESA’s one year and odd number CESA’s the next. The EIPA is held at CESA 1 each year during June after school is out. The schedule for the EIPA is mailed to educational interpreters each September and is at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/hi-eipa.html.

Student Need for an Interpreter - A Guided IEP Team Discussion regarding the need of a student who is deaf or hard of hearing to use or continue to use Interpreter Services

For some students who are deaf or hard of hearing, the IEP team may struggle with the question about the student’s need for an educational interpreter and if, the student needs an interpreter, what type of interpretation is to be done. A group of stakeholders created a worksheet designed to assist the IEP team discussion. In addition to the overview, there is a one-page set of statements separated by grade groupings: Early Childhood / Preschool, Early Elementary Setting, Upper Elementary Setting, Middle School, and High School.

The intention for use of this document is only when there are people on the IEP team who are not sure of the students’ need for interpreter services. It is not required and is not intended for use when it is clear that the student needs interpreter services in order to access their educational day.

For questions about this information, contact Carol M. Schweitzer (608) 266-7097

Last updated on 2/22/2008 1:34:25 PM