FL S0916

State Board of Education must adopt standards for educational interpreters through rule, including written and performance assessments from a national organization of professional sign language interpreters and transliterators.

Educational interpreters are defined as individuals who facilitate direct instruction and communication between students who are deaf or hard of hearing and their peers as specified in each student's individual education plan or 504 accommodation plan.

Beginning July 1, 2017, school districts must notify parents in writing if an interpreter assigned to their student does not meet the state board's established standards.

School districts must report to the Department of Education for website publication the total number of individuals providing interpreter services and how many meet the established standards.