2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Sign Language Interpretation	
Career Cluster:	Education and Training

AS	
CIP Number	1713100301	
Program Type	College Credit	
Standard Length	72 hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	27-3091 – Interpreters and Translators	
Targeted Occupation List	http://www.labormarketinfo.com/wec/TargetOccupationList.htm	
Perkins Technical Skill Attainment Inventory	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/perkins/perkins_resources.asp 	
Statewide Articulation	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp 	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Education and Training career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Education and Training career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to components of sign language, including formal and idiomatic signs, finger spelling, facial expression and body movement; orientation to the various manual systems of communication; principles of American Sign Language (ASL), such as the use of space and grammatical features including syntax; orientation to the cultural and psychosocial aspects of deafness; educational implications; rehabilitation implications; anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vocal mechanism; etiologies of deafness; organizations of and for deaf persons; legal and ethical considerations; and the interpreting process, including voice-to-sign (signing for the hearing person) and sign to voice (voicing for the deaf person).  Employability skills are included.  Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 72 credit hours.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the components and principles of ASL.
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the various sign systems.
03.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the cultural and psychosocial aspects of deafness.
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of hearing loss for education and habilitation.
05.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and legal aspects of interpreting.
06.0	Demonstrate the ability to convey a message using sign language or voice.
07.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
08.0	Describe all aspects of entrepreneurship.

2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Sign Language Interpretation		
CIP Number:	1713100301 
Program Length:	72 Credit hours	
SOC Code:	27-3091

The AS degree requires the inclusion of a minimum of 15 credits of general education coursework according to SACS, and it must be transferable according to Rule 6A-14.030 (2), F.A.C.  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the components and principles of American sign language. – The student will be able to:	
01.01	Identify the four parameters of ASL: hand shape, placement, movement, and orientation.	
01.02	Recognize and demonstrate the use of ASL classifiers.	
01.03	Recognize and produce a minimum vocabulary of 2,000 standard signs.	
01.04	Recognize and produce a minimum of 50 American Sign Language idioms.	
01.05	Discuss and demonstrate the proper use of space in ASL.	
01.06	Discuss and demonstrate proper use of economy of movement (motion) in ASL.	
01.07	Identify patterns of sentence structure in ASL:  a) Time indicators b) Visual topics c) Directional verbs d) Pronominal reference 	
01.08	Demonstrate the ability to sequence working vocabulary into appropriate ASL forms.	
01.09	Demonstrate and explain the role of natural gestures, facial expressions, and body movement in ASL.	
01.10	Demonstrate the ability to choose conceptually accurate signs for production in ASL.	
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the various sign systems. –The student will be able to:	
02.01	Demonstrate knowledge of the history of invented sign systems e.g. LOVE, SEE I.	
02.02	Use and understand fingerspelling.	
02.03	Use and understand Pidgin Signed English.	
02.04	Use and understand manually-coded English e.g. SEE II.	
03.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the cultural and psychosocial aspects of deafness. –The student will be able to:	
03.01	Describe types and degrees of hearing loss and their implications for communication.	
03.02	Explain the social and emotional implications of deafness.	
03.03	Describe the role of American Sign Language in the Deaf community.	
03.04	Describe the social activities and organizations of the deaf community.	
03.05	Identify and explain the assistive devices available to hearing impaired persons and the implications of such devices.	
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the implications of hearing loss for education and habilitation. –The student will be able to:	
04.01	Explain the role of the educational interpreter in the school setting.	
04.02	Explain the code of ethics for educational interpreters.	
04.03	Describe the educational characteristics and needs of the hearing impaired child.	
04.04	Describe the various types of educational programs available to hearing impaired students including different communication methodologies (e.g. Oral, Verbal-tonal, cued speech, Total Communication) and placement options (e.g. mainstreamed settings, full and part-time day classes, residential programs).	
04.05	Describe the function of the auditory and vocal mechanism and the etiologies of deafness.	
04.06	Describe the types, use and function of amplification and other assistive devices.	
04.07	Identify components of aural habilitation (e.g. speech, speech reading, and auditory training.	
04.08	Identify habilitative agencies and the services offered e.g. Vocational Rehabilitation, Deaf Service Centers, and other Referral Agencies.	
05.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and legal aspects of interpreting. –The student will be able to:	
05.01	Explain the five principles of the Code of Ethics of the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf.	
05.02	Explain PL 94-142; Section 504 of Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its amendments, and Florida Statutes pertaining to hearing impaired individuals and interpreters and the implications of the laws and statutes.	
05.03	Explain Florida's interpreter evaluation process and its implications for interpreters.	
05.04	Explain the Florida Educational Interpreter's Code of Ethics and its' implications.	
06.0	Demonstrate the ability to convey a message using sign language or voice. –The student will be able to:	
06.01	Accurately interpret the message of a speaking person to a hearing impaired person(s) using the communication method (signed or voice) most readily understood by the hearing impaired person(s).	
06.02	Accurately transliterate the message of a speaking person to a hearing impaired person(s) using the communication method (signed or voice) most readily understood by the hearing impaired person(s).	
06.03	Accurately interpret the message of a signing person to a hearing impaired person(s) or hearing person(s) through use of voice.	
06.04	Accurately transliterate the message of a signing person to a hearing impaired person(s) or a hearing person(s) through use of voice.	
07.0	Demonstrate employability skills. –The student will be able to:	
07.01	Conduct a job search.	
07.02	Secure information about a job.	
07.03	Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job.	
07.04	Complete a job application.	
07.05	Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques.	
07.06	Identify or demonstrate appropriate responses to criticism from employer, supervisor, or other persons.	
07.07	Identify acceptable work habits.	
07.08	Demonstrate knowledge of how to make job changes appropriately.	
07.09	Demonstrate acceptable employee health habits.	
08.0	Describe all aspects of entrepreneurship. –The student will be able to:	
08.01	Define entrepreneurship.	
08.02	Describe the importance of entrepreneurship to the American economy.	
08.03	List the advantages and disadvantages of business ownership.	
08.04	Identify the risks involved in ownership of a business.	
08.05	Identify the necessary personal characteristics of a successful entrepreneur.	
08.06	Identify the business skills needed to operate a small business efficiently and effectively.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program.  These activities include instruction in the use of safety procedures, tools, equipment, materials, and processes related to these occupations.  Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access.  Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors.  Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education.  Accommodations change the way the student is instructed.  Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems.  Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Articulation

To be transferable statewide between institutions, this program must have been reviewed, and a “transfer value” assigned the curriculum content by the appropriate Statewide Course Numbering System discipline committee.  This does not preclude institutions from developing specific articulation agreements with each other. 

For details on articulation agreements which correlate to programs and industry certifications refer to http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp .

Program Length

The AS degree requires the inclusion of a minimum of 15 credits of general education coursework according to SACS, and it must be transferable according to Rule 6A-14.030 (2), F.A.C.  The standard length of this program is 72 credit hours according to Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.