October 28, 2009
RID Launches Comprehensive Review of the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) Examination
For immediate release; Contact: Tina Schultz, Director of Communications; tschultz@rid.org<mailto:tschultz@rid.org>
October 26, 2009 – Alexandria, VA – The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), in conjunction with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), is pleased to announce the launch of the first of a series of meetings for a comprehensive review of the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) examination occurred on October 10-11, 2009, at the RID national office.
All certifying bodies must review and revise examinations at regular intervals to guarantee that policies, procedures and standards adhere to contemporary needs, practices and advances in the field. RID is no exception and has appointed a group of diverse subject matter experts to review the current NIC paradigm in order to develop a comprehensive analysis and delineation of modern interpreting practice. Specifically, the NIC Task Force is looking at all aspects of the certification system and will determine if there are psychometrically-sound alternative approaches that are feasible, practical and supportable. In addition, the task force will analyze the various duties of interpreters in all practice settings and formulate a new, refined and enhanced content outline of the occupation that will be used as the blueprint for future NIC examinations.
RID will continue to draw upon the experience of its testing service provider, CASTLE Worldwide, to accomplish this initiative. The NIC Task Force is comprised of thirteen involved, knowledgeable stakeholders, with over 200 years of combined experience in the field of interpreting. They represent a suitable demographic cross section of interpreters, including representatives from both the NAD and RID communities, with substantial practical experience in diverse practice settings, geographic locations, employers and educators. Kelly Flores, Lincoln Park, MI, serves as the RID Board of Directors liaison for the NIC Task Force. The other task force members are Michael Canale, New York, NY; Robyn Dean, Rochester, NY; Judith Gilliam, Talladega, AL; Lisa Gold, Wimberley, TX; Gino Gouby, Alexandria, VA; Jo Linda Greenfield, Westminster, CO; Liz Hill, Frankfort, KY; Daniel Langholtz, San Francisco, CA; Elizabeth Morgan, San Antonio, TX; Geri Mu, San Diego, CA; Debbie Peterson, West Valley City, UT; Linda Ross, Sunbury, OH; and Amanda Smith, Keizer, OR.
