Mr. Scheler - let me respond to each of your questions IN ALL CAPS within the body of your message. Please see my responses below:
Thanks
Jay Gense
1. When do you plan to present the program for getting the Educational Interpreters certified to the Office Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Advisory Board?
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THAT WE IMPLEMENTED A PILOT STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT USING THE EIPA THIS FALL. THIS WAS DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH MANY OTHER STATES WHO USE THE EIPA AS THE MECHANISM TO IDENTIFY INTERPRETER SKILLS. I JUST RECEIVED THE RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENTS LAST WEEK, AS DID THOSE THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE ASSESSMENT. WE LEARNED THAT IMPLEMENTING THE EIPA IN OREGON DOES, IN FACT, PROVIDE US A TOOL THAT WILL ENSURE THAT WE MEET THE NEW STATUTES REGARDING STANDARDS FOR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO CRAFT PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE RULE, THEN TAKE THAT PROPOSAL TO THE ODHHS ADVISORY BOARD, AND OTHERS, FOR REVIEW. BASED ON THAT INPUT, THE FINAL STEP WILL BE TO TAKE THE RULES, SUBSEQUENT TO REVIEW AND EDIT IF NECESSARY, TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THESE PROPOSALS TO THE STATE BOARD THIS SPRING.
2. The February 7th deadline has passed and we have not heard anything about who is going to be on the screening committee to look for a new Director for OSD. When will you be announcing this?
WE HAVE FORMED THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND HAVE THE FIRST MEETING THIS FRIDAY. I’M NOT SURE HOW YOU ENVISION THIS BEING ANNOUNCED BUT I’M HAPPY TO SEND INFORMATION THAT IDENTIFIES THE MEMBERSHIP AS WELL AS THE THREE MEETING DATES IF YOU’D LIKE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF WANT TO RECEIVE THIS INFORMATION.
3. I just learned today that you personally have told the OSD staff that they are not to join the pickets on their own time? Is this true?
NO, THIS IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH OSD STAFF ABOUT THE PICKETS, AND CERTAINLY HAVE NOT TOLD ANYONE WHAT HE/SHE CAN DO ON THEIR OWN TIME.
4. I also heard today that Ed Dennis has told all the ODE staff they are not to talk to the picketers or join them. Is this true?
I’M NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING ED DENNIS HAS SAID REGARDING THE PICKETERS. I CAN PROVIDE HIS CONTACT INFORMATION IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONNECT WITH HIM AND/OR HIS STAFF.