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 and guardians who have requested communication in a language other than English 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 limited English proficiency (LEP) parent and guardian 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 parents and guardians who have requested communication in a language other than English and provide them information in a language they can understand to the extent feasible, regarding the language service resources available within the District.

Oral Interpretation

The District will take reasonable steps to provide parents and guardians who have requested communication in a language other than English competent oral interpretation of materials or information about any program, service, and activity provided to parents and guardians who are receiving communication in English and to facilitate any interaction with district staff significant to the student’s education. The District will provide such services upon request of the parents and guardians who have requested communication in a language other than English 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 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;
• 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.

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

All school administrators, as well as staff 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 parents and guardians who have requested communication in a language other than English, 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 implement the language access plan. Interpretation and Translation Services supports schools in building the needed relationship between the home and school by providing access to information about our school system, educational programs, and services using TransAct, bilingual paraeducators, and community resources and contracted services.  

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

District Cross Reference:
Nondiscrimination - Policy 3210
Parent and Family Engagement - Policy 0050
Staff Communication Responsibilities - Policy 4121
Effective Communication - Policy 4217

WSSDA Cross References:
Language Access Policy - Policy 4218
July Policy Issue – 2019

Legal Reference:
Chapter 28A.155 RCW Special Education
Chapter 28A.642 RCW Discrimination prohibition
Chapter 49.60 RCW Discrimination – Human Rights Commission
Chapter 392-400 WAC Pupils
WAC 392-400-215 Student rights
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board November 2020
Classification: Encouraged