Language Access

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We at the Tukwila School District believe that all parents and guardians have the right to be involved in their child’s education and to communicate effectively with teachers and school staff. We will take reasonable steps to provide interpretation services so families can fully understand information about school programs, services, activities, and take part in important conversations about their student’s learning. Language support is available when needed or requested because every family deserves to feel welcome, included, and heard.

What is Language Access?

Language access is our commitment to ensuring that all families, regardless of the language they speak, can fully understand and participate in their child’s education. This includes providing qualified interpreters for meetings, translating essential documents, and using communication tools that help families connect clearly and effectively with school staff.

By eliminating language barriers, we work to ensure that every parent and guardian has equal access to important information and meaningful opportunities to engage in their student’s educational experience. Our goal is to create a school community where all families feel informed, respected, and empowered to support their child’s learning.

Parent Rights to Language Access

Parents/guardians have the right to receive important information from schools in a language they can understand. The Tukwila School District (TSD) must provide interpretation or translation services, when needed, to communicate with parents and families.

Parents' Rights Interpretation and Translation Services

You can find more information about parent's rights to meaningful language access at the following links:

Amharic

You can access the district's language access policy and procedure by clicking on the links below.

Language Access Policy

Language Access Procedure

LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Tukwila School Districts Language Access Plan (LAP) is to establish a systemic, equitable approach to ensuring that multilingual families — whose primary language of communication is not English — have meaningful access to all district programs, services, and communications.

Aligned with the Tukwila School District's mission to educate and empower every student and its strategic commitment to equity, inclusion, and family partnership, this plan recognizes that language must never be a barrier to engagement, student success, or the full exercise of educational rights. The LAP reflects the district's belief that strong schools are built through strong connections with families regardless of the language they speak.

This Language Access Plan also ensures the Tukwila School Districts compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, RCW 28A.605.020, and guidelines from the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Specifically, this plan aims to:

Ensure that all parents and guardians receive essential information in a language they understand. This includes communications related to academic progress, health and safety, enrollment, discipline, special education, and other critical areas.
Provide staff across all departments with necessary procedures, tools, and support to effectively communicate with families with limited English proficiency.
Strengthen the Tukwila School Districts ability to proactively identify and meet the language needs of the community through data collection and family engagement.
Promote systemic equity by embedding language access into the district's day to day operations, decision making processes, and strategic planning.
Foster trust and partnership with multilingual families by honoring and supporting home languages and cultures.

DEFINITIONS

Interpreter: A person who converts spoken language from one language to another in real time.

In-Person Interpretation: On-site interpretation where the interpreter is physically present.

Language Access: Ensures that individuals with Limited English Proficiency can meaningfully access programs, benefits, and rights.

Language Services: Services provided to bridge language barriers such as interpretation and translation.

Lep (Limited English Proficiency): Refers to individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and may have limited abilities to read, speak, write, or understand English.

Notice of Language Assistance: Public facing messages informing families of available interpretation/ translation services.

Primary Language: The language identified by the parent or guardian as the language most often spoken at home.

Preferred Language: The language in which an individual prefers to receive communication or services.

Telephone Interpretation: Language interpretation conducted over the phone.

Translator: A person who converts written content from one language to another in real time.

Video Remote Interpretation (VRI): Real-time interpretation via video conferencing tools.

LANGUAGE SERVICES

The Tukwila School District offers the following language services at no cost:

Over-the-Phone interpretation (OPI): Available districtwide in over 200 languages.
Video Remote Interpretation (VRI): For virtual or onsite needs, available in multiple languages.
In-Person Interpreters: Available in multiple languages.
Document Translation: Vital district documents will be translated into the most common languages spoken in the district.
Multilingual Communication Tools: Platforms like TalkingPoints or School Messenger support two-way translated communication.
Pocket Talk: Real time translation tool facilitating communication between teachers, students, and parents who may not share a common language.

HOW PARENTS/GUARDIANS CAN ACCESS LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES

Parents and guardians whose primary language is not English can access language support services through a variety of methods designed to ensure clear, timely, and effective communication with school staff and the district. This includes:

Requesting an interpreter to help facilitate communication either by phone, video, or in person
Identifying their language using multilingual posters in school offices.
Request translated documents from school staff.
Updating their preferred language through registration, school offices or skyward.

HOW STAFF CAN ACCESS LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES

Staff must use approved vendors/interpreters or district systems to request interpreters and translations.

In-District Interpreter: May request Interpreter through the In-District Interpreters List. Once an interpreter has been secured, fill out the Language Access Staff Request Form. Once the meeting has concluded, be sure to provide family members with the Family Satisfaction Survey and select their preferred language from the upper right hand corner. (Paper copies are also available) through the Language Access Intranet page.
Language Link: Information on how to use Language Link can be found on the Staff Intranet under Language Access.

NOTICES AND OUTREACH

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

All Tukwila School District staff play a vital role in building an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for our linguistically diverse families. In alignment with the district's strategic goals of equity, access, and community engagement, we are committed to provide clear and consistent training on language access. This ensures that every family — regardless of language— can fully participate in their child's education.

All staff who interact with students or families are required to complete annual training that covers:

Legal requirements for language access (Title VI. RCW 28A.605.020, OSPI guidance)
The district's Language Access Plan and protocols
How to identify when a family needs assistance
How to access interpretation and translation services
Appropriate and inappropriate use of interpreters
Basic cultural competency and respectful communication practice

The district will provide orientation ongoing professional development for any in-house interpreters or bilingual staff who provide language services. Topics will include:

Interpreter ethics and confidentiality
Standards for accuracy and neutrality
Working effectively in educational settings

EVALUATION

The Language Access Plan will be evaluated annually to ensure it continues to reflect the Tukwila School District's mission to educate and empower every student, and its strategic focus on equity, inclusion, and family engagement. This evaluation process will help the district identify what's working, where improvements are needed, and how to strengthen language access across schools. Evaluation methods will include:

Family Surveys: Gather feedback from multilingual families on the accessibility and quality of language services.
Data Analysis: Monitor service usage and identify trends or gaps to inform future planning and resource allocation
Professional Development Feedback: Collective evaluations from staff who receive language access training to assess clarity, usefulness, and application in real situations.
Advisory Committee Review: Review implementation and effectiveness of the Language Access Plan in partnership with district advisory groups and community representatives.