by Doug Price
The provision of language interpretation services in
American schools is guided by federal legislation, including the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. These laws
mandate that school districts must take reasonable steps to overcome language
barriers that impede students’ equal access to education. As a result, school
districts have implemented various strategies to meet the language needs of
their diverse student populations.
These strategies play a crucial role in ensuring effective
communication and educational equity for students who are non-native English
speakers or have limited proficiency in the English language. But the key
consumers of interpretation services are parents, not students. For the most
part, these students are 2nd and 3rd generation Americans
who grow up speaking English outside the home even if they still speak their
native tongue at home with their parents.
Parents are the ones who most often rely on interpretation
services to be active participants in their children’s education and make
informed decisions regarding their development. Interpretation services are
commonly used during parent-teacher conferences, Individualized Education
Program (IEP) meetings, and other school-related events. Interpreters help
bridge the communication gap between parents and teachers, ensuring that
important information is conveyed accurately. Services also extend to written
materials. Schools may provide translated documents, such as newsletters,
permission slips, and report cards, to ensure that parents who are not
proficient in English can stay informed about their child’s progress and school
activities.
Challenges still exist though. Limited funding, a shortage
of trained interpreters, and the need for ongoing professional development are
some of the obstacles that school districts must overcome. Technology is making
strides to overcome some of the obstacles like cost and availability of local
professional interpreter talent. So, we see more interpretation occurring by
phone and video conference these days.
With the increasing diversity in classrooms across the
United States, it is essential to provide adequate language support to parents
in order to promote their children’s academic success. The United States is a
melting pot of cultures, and its schools reflect this diversity. Students from
various linguistic backgrounds bring unique perspectives and enrich the
learning environment. However, language barriers can and have posed significant
challenges to these students’ academic progress by limiting parents’ access to
information.
By providing linguistic support through bilingual staff,
trained interpreters, and technological tools, schools can bridge the language
gap and promote academic success among diverse student populations by way of
their parent’s inclusion. It is imperative for schools to continue investing in
language interpretation services and implementing comprehensive strategies to
meet the unique needs of English language learners, fostering an inclusive and
enriching educational experience for all.
To learn more about LTC and language interpretation call us at 888-456-1626.