Signed Language Interpreting in K-12 Educational Settings: A Case for Specialization

Item

Title
Signed Language Interpreting in K-12 Educational Settings: A Case for Specialization
Creator
Megan Seipke-Dame
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies
Project Type
thesis
Date
3/22/2023
Abstract
The field of signed language interpreting is becoming increasingly specialized yet very few educational options are available to prepare students enrolled in interpreter education programs for specialization. This is especially true for those entering the K-12 educational interpreting field since most available interpreter education programs are generalist in nature, focusing on broad skills in community settings.
Due to the specialized content knowledge and skills requirements of practitioners working in K-12 educational settings, many program graduates are graduating without the requisite skills to meet state-established minimum standards for employment. Data gathered from K-12 educational interpreters, students currently enrolled in interpreter education programs, and other Deaf Education stakeholders through a needs assessment may be used to develop an educational interpreter certificate program. This program would be supplementary to existing interpreter education programs and focus specifically on preparing students of the profession to work as educational interpreters, thus providing one way to address the existing field-wide gap between interpreter education and professional credentialing.
Data from interpreter and student respondents focused mainly on preparedness regarding skills specific to working in K-12 settings while data from stakeholder respondents focused on credentialing requirements and the ability to locate qualified educational interpreters when needed.
Committee Member
Elisa Maroney, Amanda Smith, Daniel McDougall
Rights
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 3/29/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author at the email address listed above.
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Date Available
English
Type
3/22/2023
Identifier
Text