Meeting & Agendas

Explained the conversion of the IPP program from the two and a half year block-time (non-credit) program to a degreed program. The change was encouraged by the Texas Coordinating Board, and a newly designed IPP curriculum is scheduled to begin Spring 1998. Workforce Education Advisory Committee (WEAC) booklets were distributed and discussed. Workforce education allows students to receive degrees that will train students to go directly into the workforce. Dr. Beaman solicited the assistance of the Advisory Committee Board members to provide the necessary input (from the employers perspective) regarding workforce needs, as well as feedback as to what ACC graduate Interpreters are lacking. This information will be helpful in producing better graduates who will be able to meet workforce needs. Dr. Beaman requested the election of a Chair and Vice-Chair for the newly formed IPP Advisory Board. These positions are elected annually. Byron Bridges is the newly elected Secretary. All members will serve a two, three or four-year term. The commitment will be to attend the annual IPP Advisory Board meeting, as well as any other meetings called by the Chair. Deborah Drummond was nominated for the position of Chair by John Aintablian. The vote for Chair was unanimous. Deborah Drummond called for the nomination of the Vice-Chair. Cathy Blasingame was elected and a random draw was held for Board Member year commitments. Assigned term results are: Brad C., 3-YR; Holly W-Norman, 4-YR; John A., 4-YR; Deborah D., 3-YR; Angela B., 2-YR; Myra M., 4-YR; Sondra M., 2-YR; Diana T., 3-YR; Yvonne H., 3-YR and Cathy B., 2-YR.

Explained the curriculum and the following: ASL Studies Certificate - for students who want to learn sign language. It offers a basic awareness of Deaf studies and all classes taken would count towards the next level of interpretation, if sought. Certificate students are not required to take TASP. IPP AAS Degree - offers more academic courses, including theater and math courses required by THECB. These students will be transferring to other universities. Employer surveys indicate an AAS degree would make a difference in the choice of employment. Negotiation regarding core course requirements will be studied and possibly changed later.

The Tech-Prep Program is a high school to college transfer program, wherein high school students can earn ASL credit for high school classes taken in the tenth grade level. Concern has been expressed regarding high school proficiency levels. Agreements are being made with individual high schools regarding high school/college equivalencies. Under the present program, high school students automatically receive credit for ASL classes taken in high school (high school Instructors are required to take a special state certification). BEI examinations have an age requirement of 18 and require a 'C' or above to pass. High school teachers will be required to take the SEPI in January, and it is ultimately each individual school's decision as to which teachers they hire. Some type of screening process will have to be established for the high school students in this program. ASL instructors will need to encourage students who are doing well (and possibly use other Interpreters as mentors); but also advise students who are not, whether they should continue in the program. Byron will be working on Instructor curriculum approaches to ASL levels I-IV and will be evaluating ACC's program so that students can learn both signing and about the Deaf culture. 'Signing Naturally' is the required textbook presently being used. In contrast to the old program, there is much more current information available with the new program. The Internet also provides current interpreter information; new research indicates theories may be affected. The old Certificate program excluded several students and the program was intense; the direction taken by the new program will not exclude those students. While the block-time program focused on ASL IV and interpretation, the new program will focus on a variety of areas. The lack of room space and technical support for ASL labs was discussed; as well as the pros and cons of labs and equipment within the labs. At present there is no specific room location and classroom enrollment is limited to the size of the room. There is also the problem of monitoring lab rooms for missing equipment. Discussion was held regarding labs vs. on-the-job training (which is better suited for mentoring and supervising). Lynn indicated Phase II of the Eastview Campus project would allow some input regarding the lab. The new Certificate and AAS degree programs also offer a Capstone Internship. John recommended an 'exit' exam for students upon completion of the program. The current HSR GPA requirement is 2.8. Byron advised San Antonio's Interpreting program students are tested for competency (midway through their studies) to determine which students need remediation, or need to re-take classes. Some Interpreters have experienced 'Code of Ethics' conflicts with school district interpreting. Discussion was held as to which area students should begin first (educational or community), and how educational and community interpreting overlap. With ACC's Distance Learning support, efforts should be made to contact other colleges to pool resources together to improve our program. It was suggested Interpreters take Human Development courses to match adult/child levels. Mentoring programs need to be made available to students at the end of the program so that they may gain experience. Angela volunteered to help provide information regarding mentoring programs and how they work; Byron will contact Angela for that information and will distribute to all members. There is a legal issue regarding students who cannot measure up to the program. ASL instructors will need to advise these students and be able to provide documentation to support reasons why the student(s) is/was advised into a different career. ACC Interpreting graduates need a relationship with the community. Angela requested names of students to work side-by-side with Byron in the program which would provide a tracking system.

It was recommended the next scheduled meeting be held May 1998 (with the possibility of other meetings being scheduled before then). Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.