A Message from Sally King, EIE Chairperson

Educational Interpreter Evaluation

Many of you have seen my name and e-mail address on the website for the past several years as the person to contact for cards. I have been in touch with many of you over the past several years sending you EIE cards and answering questions. Well now I have taken the next step and have been appointed Chairperson of the EIE.

As most of you know the EIE has been on hiatus and no tests have been administered since 2006. The EIE is currently offering extensions for interpreters holding EIE levels that have expired during the years of 2006/2007. For you to receive these extensions the following criteria must be met.

1.     Your level must have expired in the years 2006 or 2007.

2.     You must be a current member of FRID.

3.     If your membership in FRID has lapsed a reinstatement fee of $25.00 for each year must be paid in addition to any dues.

4.     You must send a request with your original test date, level and current address to expedite extensions to Nancy DiNenna at dinenna.nancy@brevardschools.org

5.     Anyone whose EIE expires in 2008 please continue to check the website.

Please allow one week for processing your requests.

I know your next question is most likely, “When will the EIE be in operation again?” Our goal is to be up and running for first time test takers in the Spring. At this time we are limiting requests to first time test takers only. We plan to do a training for the raters and soon after that will be posting dates and times for the test on the website.

Please continue to check the website for developing details. I will try to get them posted as soon as things are finalized. Thank you all so much for your patience during this transitional time.

Questions and Answers

Educational Interpreter Evaluation

You may now contact Sally King at Salkin@juno.com

The information below should be considered history and not necessarily representative of the new EIE

~~~~ Educational Interpreters~~~~

                      Make sure your FRID membership is current .

Welcome to the Florida EIE!

In 1983 FRID recognized the need for qualified interpreters in the educational setting.The Registry for Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Ethics however created a conflict in many situations and made the interpreter's task more difficult. With the cooperative efforts of FRID, local school districts and the Florida Department of Education, a Code of Ethics was developed along with an evaluation tool now known as the Educational Interpreters Evaluation (EIE).

This evaluation is not sanctioned by RID but instead is a tool to assist interpreters measure their progress toward national certification. Therefore, all EIE state level interpreters are encouraged to continue their professional development and strive to achieve RID national certification.

How Do I Apply?

The EIE is not currently accepting applications. The EIE will be on hiatus at the end of the summer 2006 in order to implement and incorporate the new NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct and to finish development of new testing stimulus. Although we are not sure when the test will be running again, our goal is the end of 2006 or the beginning of 2007. If you have any questions, please contact. FRID will be updating members through the website, so keep checking back.

The Test includes:

A written portion, an interview, and five performance segments (details below)

What to Expect During an Evaluation?

Live Evaluation Panel

Each candidate will be evaluated by a panel of three members including educational interpreters and classroom teachers/administrators. All members who are hearing hold certification from RID. Every effort will be made to include at least one deaf/hard of hearing evaluator for each team. For this reason, an additional RID certified interpreter is present to interpret for the voiced portions of the evaluation. All proceedings are videotaped for documentation.

Video-Only (Optional)

Due to the volume of applications to take the EIE, candidates may opt for a video evaluation, which is rated remotely. A team leader is in the room to ask the interview questions as well as to lead the candidate through the performance portion. An RID certified interpreter is present to relay the voiced portions of the evaluation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing remote raters.

Evaluation Schedule of Events

All evaluations start Friday evening with the Written Test . This is followed by a preparation workshop covering an Overview of interview and performance segments . Saturday, candidates are scheduled for a one-hour Warm-Up and then proceed with the actual Interview and Performance evaluation.

Written Section (Friday evening)

• Must be passed with 75% or better score
• 50 multiple choice and true/false questions
• Based on information found in the EIE Information and Study Manual (PDF File), including:
  1. Florida Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters
  2. Background and history of the Code of Ethics
  3. The DOE/BEES Technical Assistance Paper (TAP)
  4. Knowledge of sign language interpreting
  5. Knowledge of educational interpreting
  6. Knowledge of federal and state laws relating to educational interpreting

Overview of the Interview and Performance sections (Friday workshop)

• Includes topics such as:
  1. Evaluation process
  2. Florida Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters
  3. Sample interview questions and video-taped example responses
  4. Video-taped examples of Performance section

Warm-Up (Saturday)

• Candidates have one hour to view the introductory materials
• Warm-up tapes introduce the situations and signing/speaking styles of the individuals portrayed on the evaluation materials (scripts are provided)

Interview Section (Saturday)

• Must be passed with 75% or better (if below 75%, interview must be retaken within 90 days)
• 5 situational questions asked by Panel (Team Leader if video)
• Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of the Florida Code of Ethics for Educational Interpreters apply a specific tenet of the Code to typical educational interpreting situations in a professional manner
• Answers will be evaluated in three specific areas: 
  1. Knowledge of the Code of Ethics
  2. Application of the Code
  3. Response quality

Performance Section (Saturday)

• Must be passed with 60% accuracy or better (see levels below)
• Five video-taped segments, simultaneously assessing expressive and receptive performance in actual educational situations
• Segments consist of:
  * two interactive (one-to-one) segments
  * two expressive interpreting/transliterating segments (voice-to-sign)
  * one voicing only (sign-to-voice)
• Panel remains in the room to score the five segments presented on the tape as well as to provide an audience for the candidate (if live)

Results --- Received by candidate within 6 weeks of evaluation date

EIE Levels

*** EIE levels are valid for four years, provided that FRID membership is renewed annually or a processing fee is paid. EIE identification cards are issued annually . Because of the volume of applications, interpreters are encouraged to apply for testing at least one year in advance of level expiration.

LEVEL ONE

Denotes an educational Interpreter (K-12) with entry-level abilities who accurately received and expressed at least 60% of the materials presented during the evaluation. An interpreter at this level should be able to competently handle interpreting situations in which there is an opportunity to stop the student/professional for clarification or repetition.

LEVEL TWO

Denotes and educational interpreter (K-12) with intermediate abilities who accurately received and expressed at least 75% of the materials presented during the evaluation. An interpreter at this level should be able to effectively handle more difficult, faster paced communication where there may or may not be an opportunity to stop for clarification or repetition.

LEVEL THREE

Denotes and educational interpreter (K-12) with advanced abilities who accurately received and expressed at least 90% of the materials presented during the evaluation. An interpreter with this level can proficiently handle a full range of complex communication situations occurring in an educational environment.

For more information, contact:

Sally King, EIE Chairperson: Salkin@juno.com