Hosted by the Connecticut Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Location
American School for the Deaf, Cogswell Elementary School Cafeteria (driving directions link)
139 North Main Street, West Hartford CT 06107 (map link)
Description
Many Deaf and hard-of-hearing students experience difficulty taking standardized tests. Central to this difficulty is the reality that English often functions as a non-native language for these individuals. Compounding the language issue, standardized tests are often constructed with the overall style of language being very specialized, include low-frequency vocabulary words, contain grammatical constructions that make items more difficult to decode, ask music- and/or sound-based questions, and impose artificial time constraints on test takers.
One accommodation is to have interpreters translate questions and answer choices for Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers. However, without adequate knowledge, skill, and preparation, attempting to interpret standardized testing could actually harm students’ ability to accurately represent themselves on the exam.
While little in the way of research exists in this arena, the presenter has been involved in translating standardized testing for video delivery for over a decade. From helping to “invent the wheel” to consulting with various states on their approach to testing, David has a wealth of experience to help guide interpreters in this important work.
Topics we will cover
- Discuss appropriate accommodations for Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers
- Examine standardized testing stem construction
- Equivalency or bias: how much cultural mediation should be allowed?
- Practice translating and interpreting standardized testing questions and answer choices
CEUs
6:00-9:00 PM
Three-hour workshop requiring some content pre-knowledge, and offering 0.3 CEUs in the Professional Studies category by CRID, an approved RID CMP and ACET sponsor.
Audience
Open to interpreting students and practitioners. This workshop will be presented in spoken English. Interpretation provided if requested by February 7, 2014. Contact ctrid13@gmail.com.
Registration
$40.00 for this workshop
$125.00 for the entire weekend (combo price for all 3 workshops)
Click here to be taken to the registration page.
Contact
Liz LaFlamme, ctrid13@gmail.com or 860-230-1310.