FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q
How long do I have to meet the requirements for State Certification?

A
The Educational Interpreter Code for Licensing 6A:9 13.18 was adopted on January 5, 2004. Educational Interpreters who are candidates for certification are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Contact the New Jersey Department of Education for more information or log on to www.state.nj.us/education.

Timelines are as follows: NJ Emergency Certification is required by September 1, 2005. Emergency Certification requires a high school diploma or GED and a 3.0 or higher on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). NJ Standard Certification is required by September 1, 2009. Standard Certification requires an Associate's Degree or NAD/RID certification, a 3.0 or higher on the EIPA, and the fifteen semester hours of coursework.
Q
What can I expect from the Assessment Process?
A
The Assessment Coordinator/Local Test Administrator (LTA) will work with you to administer the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA). You will be video/audio taped and provided detailed and specific feedback regarding your signing performance your strengths and professional development needs.
Q
Will the EIPA measure the grade and language/sign system that I use with the third grade student where I work?
A
When you apply to the EIPDC, you will indicate the sign/language system with which you are currently (or if you are not currently working in the educational interpreting environment, desire) to work. The EIPA will evaluate the interpreter’s expressive and receptive skills for classroom content using child or teenage signers. You will select from either an Elementary or Secondary Assessment.
Q
How do I know what skills I need to develop?
A
Upon the completion of a diagnostic assessment, a report is compiled indicating your strengths and weaknesses. A member of the EIPDC staff will work with you to develop a Professional Skills Improvement Plan (PSIP), based on your assessment report.
Q
How long does the assessment process take?
A
The expressive portion of the assessment is about 50 minutes long and the receptive portion is approximately 20 minutes. You will also have 30 minutes to warm up during which time you will choose which child signer and lesson plan you will interpret.
Q
How soon will it be before I get the results from my EIPA?
A
The LTA sends your videotape and paper work to the Educational Interpreter Diagnostic Center at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, NE. A team of trained diagnosticians will score your assessment, generate a report and send it back to you and the LTA. The results should be returned to you within approximately six weeks.
Q
Will I be able to attend classes, workshops, or seminars evenings and weekends? What about on-line?
A
The EIPDC at Camden County College will provide professional development opportunities during evenings and weekends in an effort to meet the scheduling needs of working interpreters. CCC offers a large variety of courses on weekends and evenings. Coursework

Additional professional development activities may also include: on-site workshops, regional training institutes, or on-line and distance learning instruction. For more information, or to request an in-service, please contact the EIPDC at bmorrison@camdencc.edu or (856) 227-7200 ext. 4948.

Q
Is there financial assistance available?
A
A scholarship fund to support those interested in attending the Educational Interpreter Professional Development Center has been established. Financial aid may be in the form of a scholarship, grant, loan, or a combination of these. The College grants aid based on financial need and requires each applicant to file a Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This is used to determine a student’s eligibility for Federal, State and institutional financial aid. Stipends will be awarded based upon the financial need of the student.
Q
Does the assessment rate levels of proficiency?
A
The EIPA rates five skill levels or categories:
    1. Beginner
    2. Advanced Beginner
    3. Intermediate
    4. Advanced Intermediate
    5. Advanced

Professional development activities will be designed to accommodate these levels.
Q
Will professional development activities be offered regionally?

A
It is the goal of the EIPDC staff to make professional development opportunities available for working interpreters. Efforts will be made to provide regional training and workshops to school districts employing educational interpreters.

For more information, or to request an in-service, please contact the EIPDC at bmorrison@camdencc.edu or (856) 227-7200 ext. 4948.
©Copyright 2004 Camden County College.
The Educational Interpreter Professional Development Center (EIPDC) is funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.