Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment
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Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment®

One of the greatest factors affecting the education of deaf and hard of hearing students in the regular education setting is the interpreter. A highly qualified interpreter is required to provide basic access to the classroom. When an educational interpreter lacks interpreting skills and knowledge needed to work as an effective educational team member, deaf and hard of hearing students cannot access the full content of the classroom. Because of this, they are not receiving an appropriate education.

In 1991, Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska responded to requests for tools that could assess the proficiency of educational interpreters by developing the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment ® (EIPA). The EIPA offers a family of products designed to provide:
  • Accurate and timely assessment of educational interpreters
  • Assessment of content knowledge needed to work in an educational setting
  • Information for school administrators, educators and parents regarding the role and function of educational interpreters and the need for competent services
  • Guidance to Departments of Education at both the federal and state levels regarding issues of educating deaf and hard of hearing students in inclusive settings
EIPA products and services are provided through the EIPA Diagnostic Center at Boys Town National Research Hospital. In keeping with the Hospital’s mission, the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA), and No Child Left Behind, the Center is committed to making a difference in the quality of education for deaf and hard of hearing students.


Testing Information

Acceptance of Results

The test administered by Tennessee Temple is the national test. The results are accepted in over 20 states in the US and the number is growing.

RID has recently accepted EIPA Level 4 and higher as a certified interpreter. This requires passing the EIPA written test.

Rating System

Evaluators use a Likert Scale to assess specific skills. Scores for each skill range from 0 (no skills demonstrated) to 5 (advanced native-like skills). The scores from all three evaluators are averaged for each skill area, each domain, as well as the overall test score. An individual’s EIPA score is the summary total score.

 

The Evaluation Team

Both videotaped interpretations are evaluated at the EIPA Diagnostic Center at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. A team of three professionals, specially trained in administering the EIPA, evaluates the interpreting samples. At least one member of the team must be deaf. All raters are fluent in the language that is being assessed. All undergo assessment training and rater monitoring to insure that results are accurate

 

To assess the skills of the individual interpreter, the EIPA utilizes two video samples of actual classroom settings called stimulus tapes. The first tape is used to assess the interpreter’s receptive skills and the second to assess his/her expressive skills. The tapes are chosen based on the grade level (elementary or secondary) and the sign language or system he/she is using (ASL-PSE, PSE-ASL, or MCE-PSE).

EIPA Levels

Level

Receptive Stimulus Tapes Version A & B

Expressive Stimulus Tapes Version A & B

Elementary Child signer using MCE Five elementary classrooms, from 1st to 6th grade
 Child signer using PSE
 Child signer using ASL
Secondary Teen signer using MCE Two secondary classrooms
 Teen signer using PSE
 Teen signer using ASL


Local Testing Information

Cost:

Written:  $75

Performance:  $300

Testing will be conducted by appointment on the following dates: 

Performance 

There will be no performance tests until August of 2008

Written

February 2008 - Exact date to be announced later

 

 

E-Mail to set up an appointment today!
Savita Adams

Link to EIPA Website
EIPA Website