We’ve blogged about how court interpreters and legal translators help non-English-speaking parents understand what is happening in juvenile courts, and about the role of language translation and language interpretation in the duty of care to non-English speakers. Language translation and language interpretation services play a similarly important role in helping non-English-speaking parents become more involved in their kids’ education. A basic question is whether or not schools are required to provide communications in a parent’s native language. The answer, however, is not so simple as it varies greatly between jurisdictions.
If a parent is unable to understand important school communications, does the child’s education – or well-being – suffer? For instance, it is well known that parental involvement in school can lead to increased academic performance and positive social outcomes for children.
In determining whether or not a school is required to provide foreign language translations of all official communications, one must begin by turning towards the state law. If a state has an official English Only statute, then more than likely the school will not be required to provide foreign language translations. However, if no such law exists, then a legal argument can be made that all children must receive an education and, without meaningful communications with the parents, this is not possible.
Contact our language service company to retain professional educational translators and professional educational English-French interpreters, English-Spanish interpreters, English-Russian interpreters, English-Czech interpreters, as well as the language interpreters in the less commonly spoken, or exotic languages for parent-teacher conferences, educational assessments, expulsion hearings, and Child Find interviews.
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