The Idaho State Department of Education (SDE) and the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind (IESDB) support the Idaho Educational Interpreter Act, as defined by Title 33, Chapter 13, of the Idaho Code. This Act sets forth a minimum standard of skill for educational interpreters employed by public schools, grades K-12. It also established the position of Idaho Interpreter Education Training Coordinator to oversee support and training activities.
IESDB and SDE support continued professional development throughout Idaho for all educational interpreters, including Sign Language Interpreters, Oral Transliterators, and Cued Speech Transliterators.
This supports deaf and hard of hearing students who use educational interpreters to access education, for classroom participation and social communication in K-12 settings.
The Idaho Interpreter Education Training Coordinator provides interpreters across the state with:
- Information and resources
- Education and awareness
- Interpreter training and development
- Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA)
- Guidance and Support
IESDB Educational Specialists, working from our Regional Education Centers throughout the State, provide support, information and resources to the parents, school districts, and educational interpreters. Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind Library has various sign language resources (videos, books, materials) for those who are interested in improving their signing skills and passing the EIPA and/or other certification requirements. Contact the ISDB Librarian at (208) 934-4457 for inquiries and assistance.