How can schools make sure an interpreter is qualified?

How can schools make sure an interpreter is qualified?

• A. By requiring a certificate in any field.
• B. By evaluating their EIPA written and expressive performance.
• C. By asking a colleague if they seem competent.
• D. By only hiring interpreters who are Deaf.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that schools verify an interpreter’s readiness with a standardized, job-specific assessment that covers both knowledge and actual interpreting skill in educational settings. Evaluating the EIPA written and expressive performance does exactly that: the written part checks understanding of interpreting concepts, ethics, and educational terminology, while the expressive performance shows how the interpreter handles real classroom communication, including accuracy, linguistic equivalence, pace, and appropriate register. This combination ensures the person can translate effectively between languages in a school context and adhere to professional standards, which is what matters for student access and safety. Other options don’t provide that same assurance: a certificate in any field doesn’t guarantee interpreting competence in education, asking a colleague is informal and subjective, and hiring only Deaf interpreters excludes qualified candidates and isn’t a universal measure of qualification.

The main idea here is that schools verify an interpreter’s readiness with a standardized, job-specific assessment that covers both knowledge and actual interpreting skill in educational settings. Evaluating the EIPA written and expressive performance does exactly that: the written part checks understanding of interpreting concepts, ethics, and educational terminology, while the expressive performance shows how the interpreter handles real classroom communication, including accuracy, linguistic equivalence, pace, and appropriate register. This combination ensures the person can translate effectively between languages in a school context and adhere to professional standards, which is what matters for student access and safety. Other options don’t provide that same assurance: a certificate in any field doesn’t guarantee interpreting competence in education, asking a colleague is informal and subjective, and hiring only Deaf interpreters excludes qualified candidates and isn’t a universal measure of qualification.