Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
STATEMENT OF SCOPE
FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Rule No.: PI 34
Relating to: Changes to rules governing substitute educational interpreter licenses
Rule Type: Permanent
NARRATIVE
1. Finding/nature of the emergency (Emergency Rule only).
N/A
2. A description of the objective of the proposed rule.
The proposed rule amends chapter PI 34 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code with respect to the rules governing the licensing of substitute educational interpreters.
3. A description of the existing policies and new policies included in the proposed rule and an analysis of policy alternatives.
Chapter PI 34 governs the licensure of school personnel, including short-term substitutes in an educational interpreter assignment who may be authorized by holding a 5-year renewable license by the Department (s. PI 34.095). Under the current rule, applicants who wish to obtain a substitute interpreter license must hold certification from an organization approved by the state superintendent in consultation with the state superintendent's Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs, or holds one of the following licenses or certifications required for licensure under s. PI 34.086 (3) (a): 1) a sign language interpreter license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services; 2) a certification from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf; or 3) a basic, advanced, or master certification from the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters. Additionally, Chapter PI 34 also governs the licensure of educational interpreters who must, in part, pass the educational interpreter performance assessment (EIPA) with a cut score set by the State Superintendent in consultation with the State Superintendent’s Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs in order to obtain licensure. Upon consultation with the advisory council, the Department proposes to adjust its practices with respect to licensure for educational interpreters and create consistency in the requirements for both types of educational interpreter licenses. The Department proposes to require that applicants for a substitute educational interpreter license, who hold a license or certificate under s. PI 34.086 (3) (a), must also pass the EIPA with a cut score set by the State Superintendent in consultation with the State Superintendent’s Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs in order to obtain licensure. Without a rule change, the Department would be required to implement the current standards for substitute educational interpreters as they exist in the current rule. 4. The statutory authority for the proposed rule.
Under s. 115.28 (7) (c), Stats., the State Superintendent has the authority to license and make rules for the examination and licensing of persons, including teachers, employed to provide publicly funded special education and related services, including interpreting services as provided under s. 115.76 (14) (a) 2., Stats. 5. An estimate of the amount of time agency employees will spend developing the proposed rule and of other resources needed to develop the rule.
The amount of time needed for rule development by Department staff and the amount of other resources necessary are indeterminate.
6. A description of all of the entities that will be affected by the proposed rule.
This rule change could impact local education agencies and individuals seeking a substitute educational interpreter license under s. 115.28 (7) (c), Stats. 7. A summary and preliminary comparison of any existing or proposed federal regulation that addresses or is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule.
N/A
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses).
The proposed rules will have no significant economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. Contact information
Carl Bryan
Legislative Policy & Outreach Team
(608) 266-3275
