With its faculty and staff expertise in educational interpreting, we analyze the competencies data of all Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) and Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment Written Test (EIPA WT) results, and make determinations on areas of professional development and educational need.

In an effort to target learning, educational objectives are thereby determined based on the needs analyses of competencies throughout the state, and we provide several 8-hour (one day) professional workshops in three regions per academic year.  Each workshop is only $ 30.00 and covers participants snacks, beverages, and lunch.  We also provide for a weeklong summer immersion at no cost to educational interpreters. 

South Carolina guidance defines an educational interpreter, regardless of assigned job title, as:  any individual who provides access to the school curriculum and environment by transferring meaning between languages in a PreK–12 educational setting for Deaf students.  Educational interpreters are grouped into the following categories:

• Green Group means an educational interpreter has an EIPA score between 3.2-3.4.
• Blue Group means an educational interpreter has an EIPA score between 3.5-3.9.  
• Purple Group means an educational interpreter has an EIPA score above 4.0 and may attend Blue Group workshops

Educational Interpreters scoring less than EIPA 3.0 (formerly the Orange Group) are unqualified to interpret for Deaf children and should not be working as an educational interpreter as they have not demonstrated the ability to interpret basic information.  This puts access to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) at risk for Deaf students.  

Such individuals are eligible to take the EIPA and EIPA:WT to determine their most current skills and knowledge competencies.  For individuals scoring less than an EIPA 3.0, the SCEIC is happy to provide a listing of external, post-secondary ASL learning opportunities.

Educational Interpreters should only register for their respective group and only educational interpreters working full-time in South Carolina public school districts who have registered with the SCEIC may attend workshops.  

2025-2026 School Year Workshops

REGISTER HERE

Registration closes 7 days before the workshop date.

SCHEDULE 

Full Session Descriptions & Addresses 

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South Carolina defines an Educational Interpreter, as a person who engages in the practice of interpreting pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classroom content and discourse for students who are deaf or hard of hearing regardless of the title of the position held by the person.

Pursuant to Regulation 43-243.2, effective August 2026,  no local education agency (LEA) in the State shall employ, or maintain the employment of, a person as an educational interpreter unless the person demonstrates the following qualifications:

1. Documentation of the current national certification or an Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) rating of 3.5 or higher is required. If the interpreter has completed the EIPA Performance Assessment and is awaiting results, the LEA may wait to verify this requirement until the results are received.
2. Evidence of a high school diploma;
3. Documentation of valid, successful completion of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment: Written Test (EIPA: WT);
4. A sworn statement that the applicant has read, understands, and agrees to abide by the National Association of Interpreters in Education Code of Ethics;
5. A background check pursuant to Section 59‑25‑115; and
6. Completing a minimum of 80 hours of continuing education every four years will begin with the 2026-2027 school year.

There is no provision for grandfathering currently employed Educational Interpreters not meeting the above standard.  An Educational Interpreter who scores less than an EIPA 3.0 are considered unqualified and are not able to provide access to an Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (Cates & Delkamiller, 2021).  Such signers place the educational rights of deaf children at risk.