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The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of Special Education is requesting signed applications from Local Education Agencies (LEAs) interested in providing $10,000 stipends to eligible, educational interpreter interns* employed in LEAs during the 2026-2027 school year while awaiting their qualifying score on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) or the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification exam.
APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION PROCESS
*2026-2027 Process Coming Soon!
LEA completes the application and secures a qualified "local" educational interpreter mentor
LEA receives approval from the APR Core Team
LEA hires an educational interpreter intern in a school-based role
LEA completes an enrollment form
LEA receives contract from PaTTAN West/Intermediate Unit 1
Intern observes and learns alongside local mentor
Intern participates in professional development and mentoring through Utah State University
Apply now to onboard an educational interpreter intern. The individual must:
Have taken their Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA)* or the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification exam
Be hired in a school-based role (examples include paraprofessional/paraeducator, classroom aide, one-to-one support staff, office support staff, clerical assistant, library aide, lunchroom aide, or behavioral support aide)
Planning to take the EIPA? You may qualify to have your test fee paid by the Bureau of Special Education. Visit the EIPA Waived Registration page to view eligibility details.
Grant Forms
Grant Forms
GRANT APPLICATION
GRANT APPLICATION
Watch the Overview Recording to learn more about the grant requirements and application process.
GRANT APPLICATION
GRANT APPLICATION
Preview a PDF of the grant application by clicking on this link or on the document below.
25-26 Educational Interpreter Internship Application - PDF for viewing purposes only.pdfENROLLMENT FORM
ENROLLMENT FORM
Preview a PDF of the grant enrollment form by clicking on this link or on the document below.
Educational Interpreter Enrollment Form 25.26.pdfPennsylvania Interpreter Training Programs
Pennsylvania Interpreter Training Programs
Contact the following Interpreter Training Programs to determine student interest in an educational interpreter internship.
Interpreter Training Program Contact
Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg Dr. Jessica Bentley-Sassaman
Community College of Allegheny County Ms. Jennifer Flaggs
Community College of Philadelphia Mr. Brian Morrison
Mount Aloysius College Dr. Gale DeArmin
LEAs approved to offer educational interpreter internships
LEAs approved to offer educational interpreter internships
To be listed as an available site for educational interpreter internships, LEAs must meet the requirements listed in section III of the application.
$10,000.00 will be available from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, to provide the educational interpreter intern a stipend for the school-based placement.
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) including approved private schools, charter schools, cyber charter schools, intermediate units, and school districts are encouraged to submit completed applications. Applications will be reviewed by the APR Core Team on a rolling basis.
PA Interpreter Training Program Coordinators will be notified of LEAs interested in providing a stipend to an educational interpreter intern.
* For the purpose of this paid internship, an educational interpreter intern is defined as an individual who is awaiting their results from either the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) or the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification exam. Confirmation of taking the EIPA or RID certification exam is required.
Outcomes of the Educational Interpreter Internship include:
Increase the number of interpreter training program graduates that pursue working in LEAs as educational interpreters.
Establish or expand structured mentoring and professional development programs for aspiring educational interpreters employed in LEAs who are awaiting results on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) or the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification exam.
Provide support to LEAs experiencing challenges securing qualified educational interpreters.
Eastern Region LEAs
Eastern Region LEAs
Name of LEA Location Contact Information
Central Region LEAs
Central Region LEAs
Name of LEA Location Contact Information
Western Region LEAs
Western Region LEAs
Name of LEA Location Contact Information
Have questions or need more information? Contact:
Amanda Winnor - PaTTAN West Assistant Director or Christine Moon - APR State Lead
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