Last Updated on March 17, 2021 by Michelle Ball
Education Code §48985 mandates that documents be translated for non-English speaking parents if pupils speak a language other than English and total more than 15% of a school’s population:
If pupils speaking a language other than English total more than 15% of a school’s population, documents must be sent to their family in English and their native language (e.g. Spanish, Cantonese, Arabic, Hmong, Russian or other language depending on the population of the school). Such documents should include report cards, testing notices, policies, enrollment paperwork, discipline notices and many other communications to the students’ families.
Education Code §51101.1 further addresses the rights of parents to translated documents
I have seen non-English speaking parents’ rights breached via school district failure to provide translated documents. This has included improperly translated expulsion hearing documents, suspension forms, report cards, and other legally mandated documents. This prevents the non-English speaking parents from being able to read and understand the documents they receive and lessens their ability to participate in their children’s education.
If you know someone who is not an English speaker, be sure they know their rights to translated educational documents pursuant to state law. We all benefit if parents are engaged in their kids’ education.
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