43 Revise K12 Educational Interpreters’ Mentor Program

Video description: A person is describing the solution titled Revise K12 Educational Interpreters’ Mentor Program. The transcript is provided below.

Issue: Some interpreters in K12 settings report feeling the need for more support as they are starting their careers. Interpreters in K12 settings are often working on waivers as they have not met the professional standards for their positions. Limited opportunities for interaction with DDBHH adults to improve language skills.

Proposed Solution: Minnesota Department of Education/Brightworks invest in an increased number of trained mentors, with an emphasis on CDIs as mentors, for working interpreters who are still working on waivers. Follow research based evidence on professional practice needed for gaining critical skills in interpreting, including prep meetings and debriefs, live observations, teamed interpreting assignments and case conferencing. Mentoring would need to occur at least once a week in each ongoing class for effective learning.

Expected outcome: DDBHH students would have better educational outcomes; therefore, allowing for becoming better educated citizens with higher employability. Improved support and job satisfaction for K12 interpreters and increased quality of K12 interpreting services.

Who is impacted: DDBHH children in mainstream educational settings, educational interpreters

Timeline: 6 months

Video description: A person is summarizing the level of support that this solution received.

Summary of Support

The majority of the 131 respondents supported collaborating with the Minnesota Judicial Branch to reinforce the policy and process for contracting CDIs as needed. All 6 Certified Deaf Interpreters supported this solution.

Summary of Support Image Description

The stacked bar charts show how respondents rated their level of support and the total number of responses. The percentage for the five support levels is shown from left to right: Strongly Oppose (Dark Red), Oppose (Light Red), Neutral (Yellow), Support (Light Blue), and Strongly Support (Dark Blue).

Respondents may identify with multiple subgroups. The overall level of support is:

Overall
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 1%
Neutral: 13%
Support: 52%
Strongly Support: 34%

Click to see the detailed image description for each subgroup.

Interpreter
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 1%
Neutral: 13%
Support: 46%
Strongly Support: 39%

Certified Deaf Interpreter
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 0%
Neutral: 0%
Support: 17%
Strongly Support: 83%

DDBHH Consumer
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 0%
Neutral: 15%
Support: 51%
Strongly Support: 34%

System Stakeholder
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 0%
Neutral: 11%
Support: 51%
Strongly Support: 38%

Overview of Respondents Opting for In-Depth Solution Analysis

After indicating their support level, 1% of the 135 respondents opted in to further assess whether the solution would worsen or improve on five metrics. Of the opt-in reviewers (2 respondents), 100% supported the solution, 0% were neutral on the solution, and 0% opposed the solution.

The remaining 133 respondents did not opt in to further assess the solution. Of these people, 85% support the solution, 13% were neutral on the solution, and 0% opposed the solution.

Reviewer Evaluation of Solution Effectiveness

Solution Effectiveness Image Description

The stacked bar charts show how respondents assessed the effectiveness of this solution based on five metrics. For each metric, the percentage of respondents is shown from left to right: Worsens (Red), Improves (Blue), No Impact (Gray).

DDBHH Quality of Life
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%

Interpreter Satisfaction
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%

Consumer Choice
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%

Interpreting Availability
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 66%
No Impact 33%

Interpreting Quality
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%

Reviewer Feedback and Insights

Interpreter

Comments from Interpreters note that having Deaf mentors would make a significant difference in the mentorship program.

Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing

Comments from DDBHH Consumers agree on the positive impact of Deaf mentors in enhancing interpreter skills.

System Stakeholder

No comments were submitted.

PREVIOUS SOLUTION

42 Explore Interest in Community of Practice for CDIs in K12 Settings

Issue: Some DDBHH students require interpreting skills that can only be provided by CDIs. Currently, there are challenges with school districts hiring CDIs despite legislation in place to provide for CDIs in classrooms and the funding reimbursement to school districts for CDI services.

NEXT SOLUTION

44 Minnesota Judicial Branch Court Interpreter Program Hire Staff CDI

Issue: The Minnesota Judicial Branch (MJB) Court Interpreter Program does not have linguistically and culturally relevant expertise to coordinate interpreters for the DDBHH constituents appearing for court proceedings. Particularly as DDBHH constituents in legal settings are sometimes vulnerable persons with disabilities due to language deprivation, the need for linguistically and culturally relevant expertise is necessary for ensuring protection of rights for these Minnesotans. Currently, MJB does not have consistent practice of honoring requests from hearing interpreters (who are contacted first for assignments) to request CDI teams. Some coordinators say that only the DDBHH constituent or the judge is permitted to request a CDI. This is problematic because often judges and DDBHH consumers are not aware that a CDI is an option nor how it might benefit the accuracy of the proceedings.