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Language Resources Program

Providing Support for Sign Language Interpreters

Through our outreach services, we provide professional development for sign language interpreters who work in PreK-12th grade through workshops, conferences and evaluations. Contact Dr. Deb Cates for more information:  deb.cates@iaedb.org

Interpreter Professional Development

Interpreting Intensive Study Program

The Interpreting Intensive Study Program (IS) is a free two-year program designed for educational interpreters working in Iowa who hold a temporary license. One goal of this program is to assist these interpreters in bridging the gap to license by examination. The components of the program are classes for one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hours every Tuesday evening online, meetings with language mentors once per week for an hour online, and meeting with Dr. Cates for individualized mentoring. There will also be independent work on skill-building exercises designed to be done around the interpreter’s daily work schedule. The expected time commitment for this program is a minimum of four hours per week. Each year, a new cohort begins with an in-person meeting on ISD’s campus in October. This course is available for up to five graduate credits through the Area Education Agency system (with a fee). Participants will need an EIPA score between 2.9 and 3.4 to enter the program, or will need to provide an interpreting sample to Dr. Cates prior to admission into the program. To remain in the program, participants will need to achieve a minimum of a Survival Plus on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (will be conducted by ISD at no cost to participants). Participation in this program will fulfill the mentoring requirement per Iowa law for temporarily licensed interpreters. If you are interested in this program, fill out the form here.

Language & Mentoring Program (LAMP)

Deaf Language Mentors for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Students

What the program does: This program is beneficial for all deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children, regardless of age. Deaf language mentors support students in filling gaps in their language. This looks different for each deaf student based on gaps they have. Deaf language mentors provide focused language instruction that mimics natural language exposure most children have from birth to age 3-5 when they enter school and, depending on the needs of the child, they can explain academic concepts in ASL as well. This instruction supplements what the other signing adults in the school can provide. The Deaf mentor can also provide videos and other resources for the education team to learn ASL to better support the student’s learning. 

Who the mentors are: Deaf language mentors are native ASL signers. The majority have advanced degrees in deaf education or ASL education, have been trained in language analysis techniques, and/or have experience with individualized instruction. All of our mentors also must pass background checks.

Why this program exists: Without a solid foundational language, DHH children are at risk of academic delays that widen over time. Since our education system is not designed to teach children a first language, even the supports in place from an SLP or TDHH are not designed to provide this type of instruction. Furthermore, sign language interpreters, who are often used as the sign language models for students, are not trained to teach language and, most of the time, are not native language models. 

How the program works: In order to receive Deaf language mentor services, students will need to have an ASL language assessment. Factors to consider in selecting a language mentor include: the child’s language level, goals the mentor is working toward, how much of the mentoring can be integrated with other service providers’ goals (particularly the teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing and speech language pathology goals), and what the child’s tolerance is for Zoom meetings. Mentors can incorporate concepts from the child’s core classes as part of mentoring as well, so that sessions with the mentor augment what the child is learning. Once it is determined the child would benefit from language mentoring, the IEP team should approve the support. The IEP team may decide whether or not to document the service in the IEP. ISD Outreach does not require it, but many teams prefer to have it included on Page F as an additional support. ISD Outreach can consult on the scheduling of a mentor based on the child’s language needs. ISD Outreach recommends a minimum of once per week for mentoring sessions. Once the IEP team approves mentoring services and determines the days and times students are available for mentoring, ISD Outreach will schedule a mentor. 

When mentoring meetings occur: The initial meeting between the language mentor and the child is arranged to be in-person, and then the services they provide going forward are a mix of online via Zoom and in-person, depending on the capabilities of the child and the availability of mentors. At this time, ongoing mentoring services are almost exclusively done via Zoom. 

Deaf Language Mentors for Temporarily Licensed Sign Language Interpreters

Through the LAMP program, Deaf language mentors are provided to students enrolled in the Interpreting Intensive Study program. Language mentors meet individually with IS students on a weekly or biweekly basis to work on ASL skills and to provide feedback on interpreting work. 

Interpreter Mentoring

Sign language interpreters can receive individualized mentoring from Dr. Cates. Temporarily licensed interpreters should be enrolled in the IS program to receive these services. Interpreters with a permanent license can receive mentoring through online meetings and practice assignments or through in-person visits for advice tailored to their specific working situation. 

Immersion Conference

ISD Outreach hosts an annual educational interpreter immersion conference at Iowa State University in Ames the third week in June. This conference is open to all Iowa educational interpreters, teachers of the deaf, speech language pathologists  and audiologists. This conference offers between 18 and 24 contact hours per year that satisfy Iowa interpreter, audiologist and speech language pathologist continuing education requirements. Through the AEA professional learning system, teachers can earn one license renewal credit. All conference workshops are also approved for Registry of Interpreter for the Deaf CEUs. Registration fee required.

Bring Professional Development to Your District

School districts and AEAs can take advantage of free professional development for their sign language interpreters through ISD Outreach! Dr. Cates provides workshops on a wide range of topics relevant to educational interpreting, and will develop new workshops upon request. These workshops include topics such as interpreting during language arts time, language deprivation syndrome, ethical decision making, fundamentals of discourse analysis, discourse features of ASL, and FAQs on educational interpreting.

Interested districts or AEAs can email Dr. Cates with the dates and times their staff has professional development, and she will tailor a workshop to fit their needs. Workshops may be done on Zoom or in person. All workshop participants will receive certificates of completion that satisfy the Iowa Board of Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators requirements for continuing education. Participants seeking CEUs from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf should contact Iowa State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (ISIRD) for a PINRA form prior to the workshop.

Statewide Resources Library

If you’re looking for materials to enhance interaction with students who are deaf or hard of hearing, check out our library. You can find more information about requesting materials on our Literacy Resources page.

Learn About the Resource Library

Interpreter Evaluations

Interpreter Skills Assessment

ISD Outreach offers two types of educational interpreter skill assessment: a skills screening and student-specific screenings.

Interpreter Skills Screening 

Educational interpreters, their supervisors, or school districts or AEAs seeking to hire sign language interpreters can request an interpreter skills screening free of charge. This screening provides an assessment of sign language interpreter skill at a specific educational level (elementary or secondary) and with specific target languages (ASL-to-English and English-to ASL or Pidgin Signed English (PSE)-to-English and English-to-PSE). The report from this screening details the interpreter’s estimated EIPA score range, strengths and weaknesses in interpreting skills, and recommendations for hiring, professional development, mentoring, and placement. This screening takes place via Zoom and requires one hour. Report turnaround time is 10 business days. Interpreters will need access to a high speed internet connection, a laptop or desktop computer, and a high quality web camera.

Student-Specific Screenings

Educational interpreters or their supervisors may request a screening to assess:

  1. the fit of a particular interpreter with a particular student
  2. a student’s need for an educational interpreter. 

Both of these screenings are conducted in-person by observation of the student and their interpreter, if they have one, in the student’s regular classes. The screening requires one school day and, based on the results of the screening, additional assessments may be recommended for the interpreter’s language or skill levels or the student’s language level. This screening provides the following information as appropriate to the type of screening: the student’s needs for classroom access, the interpreter’s skill in interpreting, the student’s interactions with an interpreter, recommendations for the interpreter working with the student, and recommendations for the student’s educational team. Report turnaround time is 15 business days.

SLPI for Deaf Ed Professionals in Iowa

ISD currently uses the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) to evaluate staff. We have a trained team of interviewers and raters in Council Bluffs (Iowa School for the Deaf campus). We are able to offer SLPI screenings to any professional working in deaf education in Iowa. The interview takes place via Zoom and requires 30 minutes. Turnaround time for SLPI reports is 30 business days. See more information about the SLPI here.

The requirements for this program are:

        -a computer running the most current version of its OS (Mac or Windows)

        -a high-resolution camera either built in or attached to the computer

        -a distraction-free background

        -a quiet room where the interview can take place uninterrupted

        -a “room monitor” who is fluent in ASL and can communicate with the interviewer if needed

EIPA Testing

TASK12 — http://www.Task12.org

Iowa residents or staff register here for the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment. Iowa interpreters may test in any state that is part of TASK12. The complete testing schedule for all TASK12 states is available here. More information about the EIPA is available here, but please note that Iowa interpreters should register through TASK-12, not through Boy’s Town.

Iowa and nearby state EIPA Testing Dates for 2020-21 are:

DateLocation
March 18-19, 2023Bettendorf, IA
April 15-16, 2023Olathe, KS
June 14-16, 2023Omaha, NE

Educational Interpreter Professional Development contact: 

Deb Cates, Ph.D., Language Resources Coordinator

SLPI

About the SLPI

The Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) is a direct test of sign language communication competency. Candidates are interviewed in a conversational format for 15 – 20 minutes by a trained proficient signer who might be either deaf or hearing. Interviews can include conversation about both social and work-related topics. Following the interview, each candidate’s signing skills are rated using a standard scale based on an “ideal” or knowledgeable native or native-like signer. The SLPI is based on a standard language evaluation methodology, the Language Proficiency Interview (LPI). The LPI has widespread acceptance as a valid tool for assessing communication competence. Like the LPI, the SLPI is a conversational procedure that allows candidates to discuss topics important for their communication needs, thus reducing the anxiety produced by less flexible assessment procedures.

The ratings assigned by ISD are as follows:

Advanced Plus-Superior: Able to have a fully shared and natural conversation, with in-depth elaboration for both social and work topics. Very broad sign vocabulary, near native-like production and fluency, excellent use of sign language grammatical features, and excellent comprehension for normal signing rate.

Advanced: Able to have a shared conversation with good, spontaneous elaboration for both social and work topics. Broad sign language vocabulary with clear and accurate production of signs and fingerspelling at a normal/near normal rate; occasional misproductions do not detract from conversational flow. Good use of many sign language grammatical features and comprehension good for normal signing rate.

Intermediate Plus: Exhibits some advanced skills, but not all and not consistently.

Intermediate: Able to discuss with some confidence, routine social and work topics within a conversation format with some elaboration; generally 3 to 5 sentences. Good knowledge and control of everyday/basic sign language vocabulary (may have several sign misproductions), with fluency generally characterized by moderate signing pace and some inappropriate pauses/ hesitations. Demonstrates use of some sign language grammatical features in connected discourse, but not controlled. Fairly good comprehension for a moderate to normal signing rate; a few repetitions and rephrasing of questions may be needed.

Survival Plus: Exhibits some intermediate skills, but not all and not consistently.

Survival: Able to discuss social and work topics with responses generally 1 to 3 sentences in length. Some knowledge of basic sign language vocabulary with many sign vocabulary errors. Slow to moderate signing rate with some inappropriate pausing. Basic use of a few sign language grammatical features. Fair comprehension for signing produced at a slow to moderate rate with some repetition and rephrasing.

Novice Plus: Exhibits some survival skills, but not all and not consistently.

Novice: Able to provide single sign and some short phrase/sentence responses to basic questions signed at a slow to moderate rate with frequent repetition and rephrasing. Vocabulary primarily related to everyday work and/or social topics such as basic work related signs, family members, basic objects, colors, numbers, names of the week, and time. Production and fluency characterized by many sign production errors and by a slow rate with frequent inappropriate pauses/hesitations.

No Functional Skills: Able to provide a few basic signs, primarily fingerspelling responses to some basic questions either fingerspelled slowly or using a few signs.

Ratings are Adapted from US Foreign Service Institute & ACTFL LPI Rating Scales by William Newell & Frank Caccamise. The SLPI as developed separates upper fluency ranges as Advanced Plus, Superior, and Superior Plus. Iowa School for the Deaf places these individuals in a single range of Advanced Plus-Superior.

SLPI for Deaf Ed Professionals in Iowa

ISD currently uses the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) to evaluate staff. We have a trained team of interviewers and raters in Council Bluffs (Iowa School for the Deaf campus). We are able to offer SLPI screenings to any professional working in deaf education in Iowa. The interview takes place via Zoom and requires 30 minutes. Turnaround time for SLPI reports is 30 business days. See more information about the SLPI here.

The requirements for this program are:

  • a computer running the most current version of its OS (Mac or Windows)
  •  a high-resolution camera either built in or attached to the computer
  • a distraction-free background
  • a quiet room where the interview can take place uninterrupted
  • a “room monitor” who is fluent in ASL and can communicate with the interviewer if needed

SLPI for High School Students Seal of Biliteracy

The State of Iowa allows students to receive a seal of biliteracy on their high school diploma for American Sign Language if they have a score of Intermediate or higher on the SLPI. ISD Outreach offers the SLPI to Iowa high school students free of charge, regardless of hearing status, if they use ASL for daily communication, if they have taken ASL classes, or are heritage language users of ASL. School districts are responsible for all paperwork for the seal of biliteracy. 

The interview takes place via Zoom and requires 30 minutes. Turnaround time for SLPI reports is 30 business days. See more information about the SLPI here.

The requirements for this program for high school students are:

  • a computer running the most current version of its OS (Mac or Windows)
  • a high-resolution camera either built in or attached to the computer
  • a distraction-free background
  • a quiet room where the interview can take place uninterrupted
  • a “room monitor” who is fluent in ASL and can communicate with the interviewer

SLPI for the General Public

ISD currently uses the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) to evaluate staff. We have a trained team of interviewers and raters in Council Bluffs (campus of Iowa School for the Deaf). We would be able to conduct a SLPI interview for a member of the general public at a cost of $220 (this fee is per person). The interview would take place via Zoom.

The requirements for this program are:

  •  a computer running the most current version of its OS (Mac or Windows)
  • a high-resolution camera either built in or attached to the computer
  • a distraction-free background
  • a quiet room where the interview can take place uninterrupted
  • a “room monitor” who is fluent in ASL and can communicate with the interviewer

It would be the individual’s responsibility to reserve the space, set up the technology, and schedule interviews based on the availability of interviewers at ISD. Payment for the SLPI interview must be received by ISD by one week prior to the scheduled test.

Statewide Resources

Statewide Resources Library

Electronic and hard copy materials on a host of sign language and related topics are available through the library.

Learn About the Resource Library

Find an Interpreter

Contact Information for Iowa-Based Interpreters

Public list of Sign Language Interpreters working in Iowa.

Iowa Board of Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators

The Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Professional Licensure has licensing authority for all sign language interpreters and transliterators. Visit their site to apply or renew. 

Bureau of Professional License – Online Interpreter Public License Search

Visit their site to search for an interpreter’s license to see if it is active, inactive or temporary.

Iowa State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (ISRID)

Learn more about this professional organization for Sign Language Interpreters in Iowa.

Want to learn more about our outreach opportunities?

If you have questions or want to learn more about our outreach across
Iowa, contact Tina Caloud by emailing her at tina.caloud@iaedb.org.
If you have general questions about ISD, please feel free to contact us
and we’ll connect you with the right person! 

Contact Us

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Switchboard: 712-366-0571 | VP (videophone): 712-796-0025

3501 Harry Langdon Blvd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503

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Bobcat Football Field

Since 1921, football has been a tradition at Iowa School for the Deaf. ISD Bobcats play late weekday afternoons or Saturdays against local junior varsity teams and Great Plains Schools for the Deaf varsity teams. Go ‘Cats!

Click here for the description in ASL.

Lied Multipurpose Complex

Opened in 2002, this was the first new construction on campus in more than 50 years. Health and physical education classes take place here. In addition to the main gym, which has seating for 1,000, this 58,000-square-foot facility has a 115,000-gallon swimming pool, community rooms, racquetball courts, and fitness areas.

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Boys Dormitory

Male students board in the administration building’s west wing. Floors divide the boys by age. Residential counselors and houseparents help with homework, encourage calls home, and plan learning, social and service activities for the boys. Boys typically have rooms to themselves. Videophone and computer stations are in the floor lounge areas.

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Administration Building

This is the site of the first building on campus when the school was moved from Iowa City in 1870. At the time, the building was a dorm, dining room, staff living quarters, chapel and administration. (There was a separate school building on campus.) This building has experienced four fires and a tornado (but nothing devastating since 1903!). Currently, it houses the ISD Museum, auditorium, cafeteria, teen center, boys dorm, and the school’s central administration offices.

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Cafeteria/Kitchen

ISD cafeteria staff work closely with dietitians and federal programs to ensure their offerings meet stringent nutrition guidelines and the preferences of the pickiest eater! Every child is encouraged to try samplings from all food groups. Occasional food fairs are held to introduce students to new dishes as well as to reinforce the importance of a healthy diet.

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Auditorium

The ornate auditorium is often home to prom, the school carnival (Celebrate ISD), and other special presentations needing to seat a larger audience. When not in use, its convenient location next to the Teen Center makes it a popular nine-square attraction!

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Greenhouse

Need tips on germination or transplanting? Check with a student who has worked in the greenhouse! The structure was dedicated in 2001 in memory of Adam Leitch, a former middle school student, who loved the outdoors. The greenhouse was made possible by donations from Adam’s family.

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Staff Residence

Some school officials are required to live on ISD’s campus. Other campus houses and apartments may be occupied by ISD staff who rent the units.

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Fleet Garage

The fleet garage holds ISD’s vehicles. Every weekend (weather permitting), students are transported to their hometowns across Iowa and Nebraska. This event operates so efficiently that the average time between school day’s end and the last bus to leave campus is less than 15 minutes. Labor for the original part of this 1941 structure was furnished under the Work Progress Administration.

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Groundskeeping Barn

This is headquarters for the groundskeepers and was built in 1984. The staff are also responsible for maintaining ISD’s fleet vehicles.

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Dairy Barn

ISD was once a self-sufficient entity, complete with a dairy herd. This 1935 barn initially housed calves and became the cattle barn when the dairy barn burned in 1944. After its farming life, the building has been used as a teen center and now stores various grounds equipment.

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Careers Building/4PLUS

Students gain hands-on work experience in metals technology and woods classes at this building. The 4PLUS transition (to work or college) student center is located on the second floor. The central and south wings were built in 1950; the north wing addition was constructed in 1980.

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Plant/Power House

This building was completed in 1956 and contains the campus boilers and utility access points. Powerhouse staff are on campus round the clock whenever students are here, too. In addition to keeping utilities running, they respond to emergency alarms and provide extra security. They’ve also been known to attend to the simple, albeit critical, needs on campus (such as fixing a student’s bicycle).

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Elementary School

Opened in 1959, this building houses preschool and elementary grades, with lower grades on the bottom floor and upper grades on the second floor. A computer lab, library, and kitchen are also inside.

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Outreach

ISD’s Outreach Department is housed in the former infirmary. Programming focuses around five areas: family resources, extended learning, literacy resources, language resources and assessments. Long before this area was renovated for Outreach, it served as ISD’s own hospital. Tonsillectomies were even performed on campus! This building opened in 1938.

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Small Gymnasium

This facility is used as an extra physical education facility for younger students. It also serves as a multipurpose activity area and an extra practice gym. Most of our matches, tournaments, and physical education are now held at the Lied Multipurpose Complex.

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Science Center

A modern science center featuring two classrooms, two labs, and plenty of storage, opened in the fall of 2010. The space previously contained a swimming pool and locker rooms and was renovated to provide an accessible environment. Private donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses made the $1.5 million project possible.

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J. Schuyler Long Hall/High School

Opened in 1929, this building offers three stories of classrooms with most rooms being used on the second floor. A library, student meeting room, and computer lab are under this roof. The Long Hall Science Center, which opened in 2010, is also connected to the building.

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Health Center

Registered nurses working 24 hours a day have all the students’ healthcare needs covered! From bandages to flu shots, nurses provide tender loving care and keep parents informed about the health of their children. When students are ill, they are cared for in the health center until they are ready for classes again.

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Girls Dormitory

A large kitchen with double appliances is featured on the main floor. Student lounges are on each floor, containing computer and videophone relay access. Usually, students have rooms to themselves. The building opened in 1963; the north wing was added in 1975.

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Audiology

Nearly 60 school districts are served through the Green Hills Area Education Agency, one of nine such organizations in Iowa. Green Hills is an intermediate unit providing educational services to local schools. One of Green Hills’ soundproof hearing testing booths is on the campus of ISD.

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ISD Museum


Housed on the second floor of Administration Building’s east wing, each room reflects a decade of history at ISD. Free admission; open by appointment, 712.366.0571.

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Teen Center

After homework and sports activities but before bed, a flurry of interaction takes place among students at the Teen Center! This modern space has a pool table, comfy couches, a big screen TV, and its own snack bar.

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