Comments on: Defenders of Certification: Sign Language Interpreters Question “Enhanced” RID NIC Test http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/ Amplifying the Voice of the Sign Language Interpreter Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:02:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Laura http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-8394 Laura Sat, 04 May 2013 16:48:26 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-8394 Laura, As a fellow interpreter I would love to chat with you. Please email me at glittercyn@gmail.com Thanks. Laura,

As a fellow interpreter I would love to chat with you. Please email me at glittercyn@gmail.com
Thanks.

]]> By: T3 http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-8372 T3 Wed, 01 May 2013 03:11:12 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-8372 I agree...I, too, have become extremely frustrated by the monopoly that RID has on testing and certification. This is one cause (starting a separate, competing organization) that I would be willing to put my time and effort into, if I knew where to start. RID holds certifications hostage, and the secretive, drawn out scoring of test is unacceptable (not to mention the poor excuse for a test, itself). You pay over $300 for a test, wait 6 months for results, and then get handed an arbitrary number with nothing to back it up but a few meaningless words (Poor, Fair, Good)?? And popular opinion seems to be (I would agree with this as well) that scores do not match up with the actual skills of the candidate, as perceived by Deaf consumers, ITP instructors, mentors, and interpreting peers. This has to stop. This organization sickens me, and I would happily sever ties with it if my credentials weren't being held hostage by them. I agree…I, too, have become extremely frustrated by the monopoly that RID has on testing and certification. This is one cause (starting a separate, competing organization) that I would be willing to put my time and effort into, if I knew where to start. RID holds certifications hostage, and the secretive, drawn out scoring of test is unacceptable (not to mention the poor excuse for a test, itself). You pay over $300 for a test, wait 6 months for results, and then get handed an arbitrary number with nothing to back it up but a few meaningless words (Poor, Fair, Good)?? And popular opinion seems to be (I would agree with this as well) that scores do not match up with the actual skills of the candidate, as perceived by Deaf consumers, ITP instructors, mentors, and interpreting peers. This has to stop. This organization sickens me, and I would happily sever ties with it if my credentials weren’t being held hostage by them.

]]> By: Terp2000 http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-8237 Terp2000 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:35:41 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-8237 I want to throw this out there and see what people say. The RID testing situation has brought questions to my my mind that have made me wonder: in our capitalist economy, what keeps companies and even non-profits honest? Competition. It also keeps prices down and improves quality. What do you think about members of the interpreting community along with respected members of the Deaf community getting together and forming a separate certifying agency? Similar to back when the NAD was offering certification. Personally, I have been in the field for 25 years and certified by NAD for over 20. I liked having that option. I always felt that the merge was a bad idea. Anytime you have ultimate power given to one body, there are inherent problems. You have less transparency, higher prices and a decrease in quality (as is evidenced by the current testing instrument), and worst of all, there are no options if an interpreter feels "snubbed" or unfairly treated. Other than filing complaints or making noise in other ways, what else are they to do? I believe that since the merge of the NAD/RID testing measures, it is clear that things are not working the way we had all hoped. It is important for us to consider providing alternatives. This would also help alleviate some of the backlog of interpreters waiting for certification testing. Currently, the wait time is unacceptable. I realize that the resources are not there to enable quick turnaround, but this is the very problem I speak of. Just because the resources are not there, does not mean that interpreters have to sit back and take it. The fact that this is even happening screams change. What do you think? I want to throw this out there and see what people say. The RID testing situation has brought questions to my my mind that have made me wonder: in our capitalist economy, what keeps companies and even non-profits honest? Competition. It also keeps prices down and improves quality. What do you think about members of the interpreting community along with respected members of the Deaf community getting together and forming a separate certifying agency? Similar to back when the NAD was offering certification. Personally, I have been in the field for 25 years and certified by NAD for over 20. I liked having that option.

I always felt that the merge was a bad idea. Anytime you have ultimate power given to one body, there are inherent problems. You have less transparency, higher prices and a decrease in quality (as is evidenced by the current testing instrument), and worst of all, there are no options if an interpreter feels “snubbed” or unfairly treated. Other than filing complaints or making noise in other ways, what else are they to do?

I believe that since the merge of the NAD/RID testing measures, it is clear that things are not working the way we had all hoped. It is important for us to consider providing alternatives. This would also help alleviate some of the backlog of interpreters waiting for certification testing. Currently, the wait time is unacceptable. I realize that the resources are not there to enable quick turnaround, but this is the very problem I speak of. Just because the resources are not there, does not mean that interpreters have to sit back and take it. The fact that this is even happening screams change.

What do you think?

]]> By: elyse schochet http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-8211 elyse schochet Mon, 08 Apr 2013 02:53:32 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-8211 a little late, but i too am one of the "lucky" 34. rid kept saying that it was only 3% of rod members. then why was it so important to make us take the test again. it wasnt our fault. and to go from a test that was 3 hours to a one hour test is outrageous. how can you assess someone in an hour, since it seems more important that we know the sub tenets. people who have graduated from an itp know it like the back of their hand. i am not saying that we dont need to know the tenets, but what are you trying to evaluate. i have nad certification and it was a live test. rid needs to see interpreters in action. tapes are false. it doesnt show how you would handle situation. if you can talk but not so the walk whats the point. i feel that the 34 of us should be granted what our letters said. i completely agree with dennis. i have heard of people who want to start another organization because rid keeps making mistakes and we as the interpreters and the deaf community are the ones that suffer. thank you. ess a little late, but i too am one of the “lucky” 34. rid kept saying that it was only 3% of rod members. then why was it so important to make us take the test again. it wasnt our fault.
and to go from a test that was 3 hours to a one hour test is outrageous. how can you assess someone in an hour, since it seems more important that we know the sub tenets. people who have graduated from an itp know it like the back of their hand. i am not saying that we dont need to know the tenets, but what are you trying to evaluate.
i have nad certification and it was a live test. rid needs to see interpreters in action. tapes are false. it doesnt show how you would handle situation. if you can talk but not so the walk whats the point.
i feel that the 34 of us should be granted what our letters said.
i completely agree with dennis.
i have heard of people who want to start another organization because rid keeps making mistakes and we as the interpreters and the deaf community are the ones that suffer. thank you.

ess

]]> By: Mary http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-4058 Mary Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:02:21 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-4058 I wish I could say the following is a first for me, but sadly it's not. I again witnessed two interpreters with years of experience under their belt tell me they failed the NIC and watched a new ITP grad jump for joy because of passing. My heart sank each time. I've watched the experienced interpreters handle all kinds of sound imput being thrown at them and produce beautiful ASL, but now feel like a failure and question their abilities in this profession. The new grad signs like someone that has just finished an ITP and the interpreting is weak at best, but now has this false sense of being truly skilled. I don't know what the answer is, but the way the evaluations are being done doesn't work. The people using the services of interprets in this area have just lost out on a couple of skilled and dedicated interpreters because they won't be able to obtain the state license. I wish I could say the following is a first for me, but sadly it’s not. I again witnessed two interpreters with years of experience under their belt tell me they failed the NIC and watched a new ITP grad jump for joy because of passing. My heart sank each time. I’ve watched the experienced interpreters handle all kinds of sound imput being thrown at them and produce beautiful ASL, but now feel like a failure and question their abilities in this profession. The new grad signs like someone that has just finished an ITP and the interpreting is weak at best, but now has this false sense of being truly skilled. I don’t know what the answer is, but the way the evaluations are being done doesn’t work. The people using the services of interprets in this area have just lost out on a couple of skilled and dedicated interpreters because they won’t be able to obtain the state license.

]]> By: Kayla http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-3989 Kayla Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:52:35 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-3989 Mr. Cokely, This open letter brought me much encouragement. I recently graduated from an ITP and, as recommended by my professors, took the NIC the summer after graduation took the NIC. And I failed. This was very frustrating for me because I have had mentors and professors tell me that my interpreting is at a level where I should have passed. Also, more than half of my fellow ITP graduates failed a test that is supposed to be an entry level test. Therefore, it was encouraging to me to see that, as backwards as it may seem, highly skilled interpreters are not only failing the test but also asking for a second look to be taken. I would like to see the research you are asking for. Thank you for your letter and I hope to see a response from RID soon. Mr. Cokely,
This open letter brought me much encouragement. I recently graduated from an ITP and, as recommended by my professors, took the NIC the summer after graduation took the NIC. And I failed. This was very frustrating for me because I have had mentors and professors tell me that my interpreting is at a level where I should have passed. Also, more than half of my fellow ITP graduates failed a test that is supposed to be an entry level test. Therefore, it was encouraging to me to see that, as backwards as it may seem, highly skilled interpreters are not only failing the test but also asking for a second look to be taken. I would like to see the research you are asking for. Thank you for your letter and I hope to see a response from RID soon.

]]> By: Amy http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-3969 Amy Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:44:26 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-3969 I went through the ITP program in Mississippi. I made very good grades. I also have lived inside the deaf culture and have many deaf friends. I have been doing pro bono services for 20 yrs. We have problems getting certified in Mississippi cause the Interpreter Training Programs recent Instructor and family members have monopolized the business causing many hardships on the hearing impaired and interpreters that truly want to help these people. The instructor owns the place where Terps get certified. I just wish RID could see the the letter of my results. She refuses to give me a letter stating I past my written exam on code of ethics. She currently holds a CSC certification and only obtained Associates degree in 2009. We truly need help in Mississippi. I need my certification. It amazes me that she'd send me out on assignments like hospital surgeries and charge 45 hour with 2 hour minimums and not even pay me minimum wages. How is that not cheating me and robbing the consumer. I feel like everyone should have to have a bachelor degree to be nationally certified. Language is so ever changing. I will never know it all but I strive to be better daily. Needing all the help we can get in Mississippi. Good Terps needing certification and Deaf are suffering daily. I went through the ITP program in Mississippi. I made very good grades. I also have lived inside the deaf culture and have many deaf friends. I have been doing pro bono services for 20 yrs. We have problems getting certified in Mississippi cause the Interpreter Training Programs recent Instructor and family members have monopolized the business causing many hardships on the hearing impaired and interpreters that truly want to help these people. The instructor owns the place where Terps get certified. I just wish RID could see the the letter of my results. She refuses to give me a letter stating I past my written exam on code of ethics. She currently holds a CSC certification and only obtained Associates degree in 2009. We truly need help in Mississippi. I need my certification. It amazes me that she’d send me out on assignments like hospital surgeries and charge 45 hour with 2 hour minimums and not even pay me minimum wages. How is that not cheating me and robbing the consumer. I feel like everyone should have to have a bachelor degree to be nationally certified. Language is so ever changing. I will never know it all but I strive to be better daily. Needing all the help we can get in Mississippi. Good Terps needing certification and Deaf are suffering daily.

]]> By: Windy http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-3922 Windy Sun, 16 Dec 2012 03:33:35 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-3922 As a seasoned, long-certified interpreter and as an interpreter educator, I am also baffled by this so-called ehanced NIC. I am not new to assessing interpreters, and I am very familiar with Leah's work. I read her results, and the very items it claims she fell short on are things that I have identified as her strengths. She was one of my more advanced students two years ago, and she has only improved with time and experience. It is frustrating and quite mystifying to see her fail this exam (twice) when I know she is qualified to be working. I don't know how to help her prepare for a test that doesn't seem to be measuring any of what an interpreter needs to be doing. As a seasoned, long-certified interpreter and as an interpreter educator, I am also baffled by this so-called ehanced NIC. I am not new to assessing interpreters, and I am very familiar with Leah’s work. I read her results, and the very items it claims she fell short on are things that I have identified as her strengths. She was one of my more advanced students two years ago, and she has only improved with time and experience. It is frustrating and quite mystifying to see her fail this exam (twice) when I know she is qualified to be working. I don’t know how to help her prepare for a test that doesn’t seem to be measuring any of what an interpreter needs to be doing.

]]> By: Leah http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-3854 Leah Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:36:26 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-3854 Dennis and Tom: I have yet to post a comprehensive note of my views on this whole grand issue, however, this has been one of my main points in my mind from the start. I believe that there has to be a way to use a portfolio style/"over time" evaluation, therefore credentialing interpreters appropriate to their individual skill sets. While we all have many things in common in our work, there are more variables to even count, and therefore I do not believe a standardized test is a reliable way to evaluate our skills in our work. We are to be ethical people/professionals in accepting which assignments fit us the best (or which we fit the best), so testing a candidate on a scenario he/she wouldn't accept in the first place is not acceptable. Or, perhaps the candidate would accept an assignment a bit out of his/her reach, but his/her prep would be extensive to ensure the work produced is quality-- something that is not possible in the current iteration of the NIC. Not to mention other factors such as teaming and/or mentoring and the other points mentioned above in this discussion. Also, if we are ethical, and we all should be, as humans first of all, and as interpreters and servants to the Deaf community, then our portfolio should be a legitimate way of evaluating our skills. I understand there are also variables that make this evaluation style flawed, but those can be ironed out. It is simply in brainstorming stage at this point. I will look further in the the testing system in England mentioned above. I have a question for Dennis: I, too am a "victim" of the "Enhanced NIC", as a qualified interpreter, validated by EIPA and employer/agency evaluations, I have failed it twice, with a lower score on my second attempt. As a working interpreter, with regular association in the Deaf community, I wonder how it is possible my skills have waned. I am torn at this point whether I should even bother writing a letter to RID. You have articulated my perspective so well, I'm tempted to send a letter saying, "What he said." No, not literally, but I don't know what else I could add, except my own experience with the test and my own story. Do 'they' even care about our stories? It seems their responses so far have been 'It is what we say it is, deal with it' themed. Will a letter from me even do any good? I am researching to see if there are more current discussions available for reading. Have there been any responses and I'm just not aware? Thank you a million times over for your standing up for the "victims of the enhanced NIC". Dennis and Tom:

I have yet to post a comprehensive note of my views on this whole grand issue, however, this has been one of my main points in my mind from the start. I believe that there has to be a way to use a portfolio style/”over time” evaluation, therefore credentialing interpreters appropriate to their individual skill sets. While we all have many things in common in our work, there are more variables to even count, and therefore I do not believe a standardized test is a reliable way to evaluate our skills in our work. We are to be ethical people/professionals in accepting which assignments fit us the best (or which we fit the best), so testing a candidate on a scenario he/she wouldn’t accept in the first place is not acceptable. Or, perhaps the candidate would accept an assignment a bit out of his/her reach, but his/her prep would be extensive to ensure the work produced is quality– something that is not possible in the current iteration of the NIC. Not to mention other factors such as teaming and/or mentoring and the other points mentioned above in this discussion.
Also, if we are ethical, and we all should be, as humans first of all, and as interpreters and servants to the Deaf community, then our portfolio should be a legitimate way of evaluating our skills.
I understand there are also variables that make this evaluation style flawed, but those can be ironed out. It is simply in brainstorming stage at this point. I will look further in the the testing system in England mentioned above.

I have a question for Dennis:
I, too am a “victim” of the “Enhanced NIC”, as a qualified interpreter, validated by EIPA and employer/agency evaluations, I have failed it twice, with a lower score on my second attempt. As a working interpreter, with regular association in the Deaf community, I wonder how it is possible my skills have waned.
I am torn at this point whether I should even bother writing a letter to RID. You have articulated my perspective so well, I’m tempted to send a letter saying, “What he said.” No, not literally, but I don’t know what else I could add, except my own experience with the test and my own story. Do ‘they’ even care about our stories? It seems their responses so far have been ‘It is what we say it is, deal with it’ themed. Will a letter from me even do any good?
I am researching to see if there are more current discussions available for reading. Have there been any responses and I’m just not aware?

Thank you a million times over for your standing up for the “victims of the enhanced NIC”.

]]> By: Leah http://www.streetleverage.com/2012/05/defenders-of-certification-sign-language-interpreters-question-enhanced-rid-nic-test/#comment-3853 Leah Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:31:57 +0000 http://www.streetleverage.com/?p=2534#comment-3853 Laura and Di: Is there any way you can share these concerns on this public forum? Why or why not? I feel that, unless you are sharing content, it should be something we all can discuss here; your concerns are probably commonly shared by many of us. Laura and Di:

Is there any way you can share these concerns on this public forum? Why or why not?
I feel that, unless you are sharing content, it should be something we all can discuss here; your concerns are probably commonly shared by many of us.

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