Educational Interpreters

Welcome to Educational Interpreting in Colorado.  There have been significant changes in this field in recent years.  Here is a brief explanation of those changes, and the process by which you may become a successful educational interpreter in Colorado.

On July 1, 2000, the law pertaining to Educational Interpreters (CRS Title 22 Section 116) went into effect.  This law sets the minimum standards for Educational Interpreters in public school settings in the state of Colorado.  The minimum standards are related to interpreting skills and knowledge of interpreting in identified areas. 

Interpreting skills are measured by the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) test.  This standardized test was developed by Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.  The fee for taking this test is $225.00 to be paid at the time of testing.  Meeting the skills standard for Colorado requires a score of 3.5 or higher on this test.  To schedule the test, please contact the Educational Interpreter Standards Coordinator. 

The standards for knowledge are known as Core Competencies and cover six areas that are necessary for effectiveness in working with children who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing.  These six areas are Deafness, The Education Process, Curriculum, Teaching and Tutoring Methods, Child Development, and Language Development.  If you have recently graduated from a Colorado Interpreter Preparation Program, you will have satisfied the knowledge requirement for the Educational Interpreter Standards Law.  Colorado programs use curriculum that meets the state requirements for Educational Interpreting.  If you have not obtained a degree from a Colorado program, there will be future opportunities to satisfy the Core Competency requirements.  Please watch for information on future developments.

All interpreters that are in the statewide database will receive a status report.  This report indicates which requirements have been met and which have not.  Upon receipt of this report (if you are currently working in a school district) take a copy of this report to your district and have them request a Temporary Interpreter Authorization (TIA) letter on your behalf.  This TIA may be renewed yearly for a maximum of three years.  This allows interpreters a total of three years to satisfy the requirement of the Educational Interpreter Standards Law.  Upon satisfying the law all interpreters receive a Letter and Certificate of Verification as confirmation.  The interpreter will then have 5 years to obtain 60 hours of continuing education. Thirty hours must be skills based training, and the remaining thirty hours will be knowledge-based training.

To receive more information please contact the Educational Interpreter Standards Coordinator, Ali Boyle at (303) 506-9316 or via e-mail ali.boyle@bvsd.k12.co.us.