The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of Special Education is requesting signed applications from Local Education Agencies (LEAs) interested in providing stipends to eligible, educational interpreter interns* employed in LEAs during the 2025-2026 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. 

To be listed as an available site for educational interpreter internships, LEAs must meet the requirements listed in section III of the application. 

$5,000.00 will be available from March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026, 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 has completed their interpreter training program and is awaiting their results from either the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) or the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification exam. Verification of graduation from an interpreter training program and 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.

Have questions or need more information? Contact:

Amanda Winnor - PaTTAN West Assistant Director or Christine Moon - APR State Lead