NEW Interpreter Data Collection in I-Star

A-1.   What is a “qualified interpreter”?  A qualified interpreter is defined by 23 IAC 226.75 as a school staff member or other personnel who is bilingual and demonstrably qualified and competent to interpret between English and another language, trained in providing the interpretations requested and sufficiently knowledgeable in both languages of any specialized terminology needed, and trained in the ethics of interpretation. The qualified interpreter could be an individual that a Local Educational Agency (LEA) has on staff or an individual the LEA contracts with on an as-needed basis.

To become a qualified interpreter, one must complete at least nine hours of training in the following areas: • Interpreting into and out of English

• Interpretation standards of practice, sight translation, ethics, and confidentiality

• Role of the interpreter and role boundaries • Respect, impartiality, professionalism, fundamentals of the effects of cultural differences on effective interpretation, and advocacy for communication

• Proper and improper interpretation techniques as depicted in video format

. • Interpreter Code of Ethics as adopted by ISBE