Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Education: Lack of qualified interpreters negatively impacting deaf students - fox59.com
Many deaf students in the state of Indiana rely on interpreters. Right now, though, there is no standard for interpreters in the Hoosier state. Interpreters don't have to prove that they can sign before being put into a school.
Learning in a classroom when you have no way to hear what’s going on is the fate many students face. Many deaf students in the state of Indiana rely on interpreters. Right now, though, there is no standard for interpreters in the Hoosier state. Interpreters don’t have to prove that they can sign before being put into a school.
Interpreters currently get a certification to work in Central Indiana schools. They don’t have to take a test showing skill to get the certification. The Department of Education is slated to take over the program July 1, and has been given the task of creating a standard. The proposal that is now at the Attorney General’s office requires new interpreters to pass a nationally recognized skills test with a score of a 3.5 out 5. The proposal grandfathers in current interpreters.
Geoffrey Bignell is a senior at Ben Davis High School. He is involved in school activities and is currently the Senior Class President. He takes honors and AP classes. He also relies on interpreters for those classes. He said he thinks all interpreters should prove they can relay information at a minimum standard.
“I had a business law class. The interpreter didn't know vocabulary for that class so I didn't know how I could participate in that class.”
“He has to go above and beyond. He has to do that much extra work at home with research on the internet because of things he may have missed,” said Doug Bignell, Geoffrey's father.
While Geoffrey said he’s been fortunate to have a lot of good interpreters, he said not all have been qualified. He had a football interpreter who didn’t know the sign for football and another who didn’t realize that there were assignments due.
Geoffrey said the current proposal is a step in the right direction, but not enough.
“A lot of us in the deaf community aren't really satisfied with that because it affects our lives.”
Geoffrey plans to attend Rochester Institute for Technology in New York in the fall on scholarship. He said he hopes to become the first deaf senator one day.
Many deaf students in the state of Indiana rely on interpreters. Right now, though, there is no standard for interpreters in the Hoosier state. Interpreters don't have to prove that they can sign before being put into a school.
Learning in a classroom when you have no way to hear what’s going on is the fate many students face. Many deaf students in the state of Indiana rely on interpreters. Right now, though, there is no standard for interpreters in the Hoosier state. Interpreters don’t have to prove that they can sign before being put into a school.
Interpreters currently get a certification to work in Central Indiana schools. They don’t have to take a test showing skill to get the certification. The Department of Education is slated to take over the program July 1, and has been given the task of creating a standard. The proposal that is now at the Attorney General’s office requires new interpreters to pass a nationally recognized skills test with a score of a 3.5 out 5. The proposal grandfathers in current interpreters.
Geoffrey Bignell is a senior at Ben Davis High School. He is involved in school activities and is currently the Senior Class President. He takes honors and AP classes. He also relies on interpreters for those classes. He said he thinks all interpreters should prove they can relay information at a minimum standard.
“I had a business law class. The interpreter didn't know vocabulary for that class so I didn't know how I could participate in that class.”
“He has to go above and beyond. He has to do that much extra work at home with research on the internet because of things he may have missed,” said Doug Bignell, Geoffrey's father.
While Geoffrey said he’s been fortunate to have a lot of good interpreters, he said not all have been qualified. He had a football interpreter who didn’t know the sign for football and another who didn’t realize that there were assignments due.
Geoffrey said the current proposal is a step in the right direction, but not enough.
“A lot of us in the deaf community aren't really satisfied with that because it affects our lives.”
Geoffrey plans to attend Rochester Institute for Technology in New York in the fall on scholarship. He said he hopes to become the first deaf senator one day.