Skip To Main Content

Language Access Plan

Language Access Plan - Policy 4218

 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 accurately and in a timely manner identify LEP parents and provide them information in a language they can 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) and/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 and student performance;
  • safety, discipline, and conduct expectations;
  • special education and related services, Section 504 information, and McKinneyVento 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;
  • student/parent handbook;
  • the District’s Language Access Plan and related services or resources available;
  • school closure information; and
  • any other documents notifying parents of their rights under applicable state laws and/or containing information or forms related to consent or filing complaints under federal law, state law, or District policy.

Staff Guidance: All 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, best practices for working with an interpreter, 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.

 Appropriate district staff, as determined by the superintendent, will also receive guidance on the interaction between this policy and the District’s policy on effective communication with students, families, and community members with disabilities.

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

Please Contact the District Office @ 698-8000 if you have any questions or concerns.

 Policy No. 4218 SELAH SCHOOL DISTRICT Community Relations 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.