The Educational Interpreter Supervision and Support Survey: Part 1.

Area of Science:

• Education
• Linguistics
• Special Education

Background:

• Limited research exists on the supervision and evaluation of K-12 American Sign Language-English interpreters.
• Understanding these processes is crucial for supporting interpreters and deaf/hard-of-hearing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the experiences of educational interpreters regarding supervision.
• To analyze how supervision practices impact interpreters and students.

Main Methods:

• A critical policy analysis framework and transformational leadership lens were employed.
• A Qualtrics online survey with 42 items was administered to 230 educational interpreters.
• Descriptive and statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, were conducted.

Main Results:

• Supervisory activities varied significantly based on whether the supervisor was a credentialed interpreter.
• Credentialed interpreter supervisors conducted more frequent job evaluations and interpreting skill assessments.
• Supervisors who were interpreters also organized professional development more often.

Conclusions:

• The qualifications of supervisors directly influence the nature and frequency of supervisory activities.
• These findings highlight the need for qualified supervision to enhance professional development and support for educational interpreters.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the effects on interpreters and students.