Educational Interpreting
page updated June 2008
Contacts:
Ali Boyle
Colorado Educational Interpreter Coordinator
303-506-9316
ali.boyle@bvsd.org
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Sheryl Muir
Special Education Services Unit
Colorado Department Of Education
303-866-6909
970-302-1544 (cell)
muir_s@cde.state.co.us
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Educational Interpreter Handbook
EIPA Written Test Fact Sheet pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
What is the CEIC?
CEIC stands for Colorado Educational Interpreter Certificate. This is the interim certificate, valid for 5 years, given to educational interpreters who satisfied the state requirements early in the transition process of requiring educational credentials in the state. New CEICs are no longer issued. As of January 2004 this certificate has been replaced by the Authorization: Educational Interpreter. Holders of current CEICs will “renew” them prior to their individual expiration dates and then will be issued the Authorization for another 5 years. Each interpreter needs to keep track of their credential’s expiration date and renew prior to expiration.
What happens if my CEIC lapses and I don’t have enough CEUs?
You’ll be required to fulfill all of the requirements for Authorization: Educational Interpreter, which includes evidence of passing the EIPA written test, a score of 3.5 or higher on the EIPA performance exam, and an Associate degree in interpreting (or Associate degree including at least 15 semester hours in education or interpreting or 60 semester hours with 15 semester hours in education or interpreting.) If you do not meet all of these requirements, you can apply for a TTE if you meet the minimum skill level requirement (see #4).
What is the Authorization: Educational Interpreter?
This is the new credential replacing the CEIC. It is valid for 5 years and requires 60 hours (30 skills/30 knowledge) of CDE continuing education units (CEUs, which are 1 clock hour = 1 CEU) in order to renew. The application packets may be obtained through local school district HR departments.
What if I get hired by a school district but I don’t have my CEIC or Authorization?
If you meet all of the requirements for an Authorization, you should apply before being hired. Or you could apply for a TTE, if you need more time to gather all of the requirements or documents.
What is a TTE?
Interpreters who have basic skills but have not met all the criteria for the Authorization: Educational Interpreter must apply for temporary status by obtaining the Authorization: Temporary Teacher Eligibility (TTE)* AND applying for Temporary Teacher Eligibility.**
The basic skills requirement may be met in a number of ways: RID, NIC, NAD III, EIPA 2.5 or higher, or EIPA pre-hire screening passed. Approval is granted for a maximum of 3 school years with evidence of a completed professional development plan that shows how the interpreter will work toward full Authorization each year. The TTE must be renewed at the beginning of every school year.
* Obtained from local school district HR office.
**Obtained by local school district special ed directors
Suppose I work for an agency, do I still need to get my Authorization?
Yes, all interpreters in the educational setting must meet the same standards. If the interpreter has not met the state standards they will be required to obtain a TTE.
How do I get the TTE? See number 4
How many CEUs do I need to maintain my CEIC or Authorization: Educational Interpreter?
60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required every 5-year cycle.
Thirty hours are required for each of the areas of knowledge and skills.
How do I obtain CEUs? Continuing education hours can be obtained in a variety of ways that include college courses, interpreting workshops (CRID annual conference, Symposium On Deafness) school district inservice trainings and pre-approved professional development skills workshops.
What is the process for getting pre-approval for skills CEUs? You may contact the Educational Interpreter Coordinator for the pre-approval forms. ali.boyle@bvsd.org
If I have more than 60 hours of CEUs can I roll over the extra for my next cycle? CEUs may only be used during the Authorization’s time period that they are obtained. They do not roll over.
I already had my fingerprints done in my district; do I still need to do it with CDE? Yes. A one-time fingerprinting is required by the Colorado Department of Education. District fingerprints do not take the place of the CDE fingerprints.
If I don’t have my AA degree will I be grandfathered into the system?
Anyone with a current CEIC, TTE for the 2005-2006 school year, or already holding an Authorization: Educational Interpreter prior to July 1, 2006 will be grandfathered in.
If I graduated from an IPP (FRCC/PPCC) or have a Bachelors degree do I need to take the written test? As of January 2004 all educational interpreters are required to take both the EIPA written test and the EIPA skills test in order to obtain their Authorization: Educational Interpreter.
I already have my RID certification; do I need to take the EIPA skills/written tests? Yes, it is required by the Colorado Department of Education for all interpreters working in the educational setting. The EIPA written and skills test focuses solely on the educational setting in comparison to the RID test which focuses on community interpreting.
How can I get information on educational interpreting from CDE on a regular basis?
Join the Educational Interpreter Listserv by sending a blank email to edinterp-join@web.cde.state.co.us It is also recommended that interpreters join their professional organization which provides workshops and other continuing education opportunities throughout the year. www.coloradorid.org
If I have passed the EIPA skills test at a particular grade level and sign system does that limit my opportunities of only interpreting in that particular setting? At this time, the state does not monitor whether the level or language/system matches your interpreting assignment, however, this could change in the future. It is recommended that the interpreter take the EIPA performance exam in the grade level and sign system that is most familiar to them. Of course, district policy may require that your credential match your assignment.
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