- Expressive and Receptive Interpreting: The interpreter translates spoken English from teachers, peers, and school announcements into a language or communication system the student understands (such as American Sign Language [ASL], Pidgin Signed English [PSE], or sign support speech). Simultaneously, they interpret the student’s signs into spoken English for the rest of the classroom.
- Facilitating Classroom Activities: They interpret everything that happens in the school environment, including lectures, small group discussions, assemblies, field trips, gym class, and PA announcements.
- IEP Implementation: The interpreter reviews and follows the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Communication Plan to tailor their interpretation style to the student’s specific cognitive, linguistic, and developmental levels.
- Promoting Social Interaction: They help facilitate casual, age-appropriate interactions between DHH students and their hearing peers, serving as a cultural and linguistic bridge without over-stepping or speaking for the student.
Because sign language interpreters work with young students, it is easy for school staff to confuse interpreters with aides or teachers. However, PA educational guidelines draw clear boundaries:
- Not a Behavior Manager: While they work closely with the educational team, interpreters are not classroom disciplinarians. Constantly correcting a student’s behavior ruins the objective nature of the interpreter-student dynamic.
- Not a Paraprofessional/Tutor: Their primary duty is communication access. While they can clarify an interpreted message, they do not plan lessons or act as private tutors unless explicitly outlined in secondary duties during non-interpreting hours.
Pennsylvania has strict legal guidelines (governed by PA Chapter 14 regulations and the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act 57) regarding who can work in this role:
- The EIPA Standard: To work in a PA school district, charter school, or Intermediate Unit (IU), an interpreter must achieve a minimum score of 3.5 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) for the specific grade level (Elementary or Secondary) to which they are assigned.
- Alternative Pathway: They can also qualify if they hold national certification through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and are registered with the Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH).
- Annual Continuing Education: Pennsylvania requires all educational interpreters to complete at least 20 hours of staff development related to interpreting or transliterating every year to keep their skills sharp.
- What is the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA)? The Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Opens in a new tab evaluates the ability to expressively interpret classroom content and discourse and the ability to receptively interpret student sign language. The EIPA is used to evaluate interpreters who work with students who use predominantly American Sign Language (ASL) and Pidgin Sign English (PSE).
- Where can I take the EIPA? All 3 PaTTAN office locations - Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Norristown - offer the EIPA. Visit the Boys Town EIPA website Opens in a new tab and click on “Find an Assessment” to register for an exam at the PaTTAN office closest to you.
Learn more about the EIPA Waived Registration Fee Opportunity
Bureau of Special Education - EIPA - Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment Opens in a new tab