- (1) An LEA shall adopt a policy addressing the LEA's communication and assistance to students learning English, their parents, and their families.
(2) The policy shall provide:
(a) guidance on the appropriate use of an interpreter and recommended interpreter qualifications, including certification or education-specific experience, for the following:
- (i) classroom activities;
- (ii) impromptu and scheduled office visits or phone calls;
- (iii) enrollment or registration processes;
- (iv) the IEP process;
- (v) student educational and occupational planning processes;
- (vi) fee waiver processes;
- (vii) parent engagement activities;
- (viii) student disciplinary meetings;
- (ix) school community councils;
- (x) school board meetings;
- (xi) other school or LEA activities; and
- (xii) other interactions between the parents of a student learning English and educational staff;
(b) guidance on the appropriate use of a translator or interpreter for the translation or interpretation of:
- (i) registration or enrollment materials, including home language surveys and English learning program entrance and exit notifications;
- (ii) assignments and accompanying materials;
- (iii) report cards or other progress reports;
- (iv) student discipline policies and procedures;
- (v) grievance procedures and notices of rights and nondiscrimination;
- (vi) parent or family handbooks; and
- (vii) requests for parent permission; and
- (c) any other guidance, including guidance on when oral interpretation is preferable to written translation, to improve instruction and assistance by teachers, counselors, and administrators to a student learning English and the student's parents and family.
- (3) The state board shall provide to an LEA notification of LEA requirements described in this section, a model of the policy described in this section, and guidance and technical assistance regarding existing requirements in relevant statute, administrative rule, and federal law.
- (4) On or before July 1, 2023, the state board shall provide to the Education Interim Committee a funding projection for annual and one-time costs associated with an LEA's implementation of the policy described in this section.
Amended by Chapter 127, 2023 General Session