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4218 Language Access Plan

LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN

The Board of Directors is committed to improving meaningful, two-way communication and promoting access to District programs, services, and activities for students and parents with limited English proficiency (LEP) free of charge. To that end, the Board of Directors requires the District to implement and maintain a language access plan tailored to the District’s current LEP parent population.

At a minimum, the District’s language access plan will incorporate the procedures that accompany this policy and address:

 

Parent Identification

The District will endeavor to timely identify LEP parents and provide them information in a language they are able to understand regarding the language service resources available within the District.

 

Oral Interpretation

The District will take reasonable steps to provide LEP parents competent oral interpretation of materials or information about any program, service, and activity provided to non-LEP parents and to facilitate any interaction with district staff significant to the student’s education. The District will provide such services upon request of the LEP parent(s) or when it may be reasonably anticipated by District staff that such services will be necessary. 

 

Written Translation 

The District will provide a written translation of vital documents for each limited English proficient group that constitutes at least 5 percent of the District’s total parent population or 1000 persons, whichever is less. For purposes of this policy, “vital documents” include, but are not limited to, those related to:

·       registration, application, and selection;

·       academic standards, student progress reports, parent-teacher conferences, and student performance;

·       safety, discipline, and conduct expectations;

·       special education and related services, Section 504 information, and McKinney-Vento services;

·       policies and procedures related to school attendance;

·       requests for parent permission in activities or programs;

·       opportunities for students or families to access school activities, programs, and services;

·       academic options and planning, including gifted and talented programs and college preparedness;

·       availability of counseling and guidance services;

·       student/parent handbook;

·       Policies 4218 and 4218P;

·       school closure information; and

·       any other documents notifying parents of their rights under applicable state laws or containing information or forms related to consent or filing complaints under federal law, state law, or District policy. 

If the District is unable to translate a vital document due to resource limitations or if a small number of families require the information in a language other than English such that document translation is unreasonable, the District will still provide the information to parents in a language they can understand through competent oral interpretation.

 

Staff Guidance

School administrators, particularly those who have the most interaction with the public such as registrars and enrollment staff, certificated staff and other appropriate staff as determined by the superintendent, will receive guidance on meaningful communication with LEP parents, how to access an interpreter or translation services in a timely manner, language services available within the District, and other information deemed necessary by the superintendent to effectuate the language access plan. Guidance will be available for staff as needed on best practices for working with interpreters.

The superintendent is authorized to establish procedures and practices for implementing this policy.

 

 

Cross references:          

  • 3210   Nondiscrimination
  • 4129   Family Involvement
  • 4217   Effective Communication

Legal references:          

  • Chapter 28A.642 RCW                     Discrimination prohibition
  • Chapter 49.60 RCW                         Discrimination – Human Rights Commission           
  • Chapter 392-400 WAC                     Discipline
  • WAC 392-400-215                            Student rights
  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Management resources:

  • 2016 – July Issue                             
  • OSPI website:  Interpretation and Translation Services

Proposed Adoption Date:  10.17.17
Stanwood-Camano School District

Procedure for 4218 Language Access Plan