Personnel development to improve services and results for children with disabilities

(a) Licensing of educational interpreters Section 662(c)(2)(E) (20 U.S.C. 1462(c)(2)(E)) is amended to read as follows: (E) Preparing personnel to be qualified educational interpreters, as licensed by the appropriate licensing body, to assist (but not teach language to) children with low incidence disabilities, particularly deaf, hard of hearing, and deafdisabled children, in school and school-related activities, and deaf, hard of hearing, and deafdisabled infants, toddlers, and preschool children in early intervention and preschool programs, except that this subparagraph shall not be construed to authorize the replacement of the essential service of an interpreter by other personnel (including replacement by a communication facilitator).. (b) Ensuring sufficient teachers of the deaf and early intervention specialists Section 662(c)(2) (20 U.S.C. 1462(c)(2)) is amended— (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: (F) Preparing personnel to be qualified teachers of the deaf and early intervention specialists, to assist children with low incidence disabilities, particularly deaf, hard of hearing, and deafdisabled children, to develop age-appropriate language, including American Sign Language and, if appropriate, spoken language with or without visual supports, and age-appropriate literacy skills in school and school-related activities, and deaf, hard of hearing, and deafdisabled infants and toddlers and preschool children in early intervention and preschool programs..