Ms. Wade, a first-year teacher, knows she needs to meet with Carlos’ parents about his slipping grades. But the parents don’t speak English well, and Ms. Wade has never requested an interpreter before.
Unsure of the process—and overwhelmed by her already-packed schedule—she keeps putting it off. She doesn’t know who to contact to request an interpreter, how long it will take, or what to expect during the meeting. It just feels like one more thing to figure out.
Or imagine this: Ms. Patel, a teacher new to the school, sits in her first IEP meeting. She called a telephonic interpreter right before starting the meeting. Nervous, she is speaking quickly and in long sentences, trying to rush through the process. The interpreter struggles to keep up, and the parents leave the meeting confused about their child’s education plan.
These are common scenarios in today’s schools. Educators and staff want to support LEP families, but without the proper training and guidance, what is an opportunity to connect, turns into a hurdle to overcome. And it’s not just frustrating—it is a true injustice to the students and the families as part of the school community.
In our many years of working with schools, interpreters, and LEP families, one question comes up time and again:
“It’s great that your company is here to train our interpreters, but what about the school staff? Do teachers and school staff know what services are available? Do they know how to use these services? They are the ones that we see when we walk through the school’s doors.”
This is the heart of the issue. Language access is about more than just interpreters. It’s about creating a system where every teacher, counselor, and administrator knows how to connect families to the right resources at the right time.
Language Access Is More Than Interpreters
Providing effective language access means having a toolkit of services, including:
- Spoken Language Interpreters (onsite, remote through video and over the phone)
- Sign language interpreting (onsite and via video)
- Document translation (letters, forms, IEPs, and more)
- Translated digital content (websites, apps, and notifications)
- Subtitling and voiceovers for school videos
- CART services for deaf families
But simply having these services isn’t enough. If school staff doesn’t know what’s available—or how to request and properly use these services—they’re not meeting the needs of LEP and Deaf students and families.
“After we provided the training to our teachers and staff, it made a huge difference. Everyone now knows what they can do and how they can get the services.” – Denise, Language Access Coordinator.
Legal Requirements and Practical Realities
Federal laws, like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, require schools to provide meaningful access to LEP families. This isn’t optional. It’s a legal and ethical responsibility.
However, “meaningful access” doesn’t just mean having language services on paper. It means ensuring that everyone in the school system understands the procedures and policies for providing these services. Without that shared understanding, even the best resources can go underused or misused.
Building a System That Works
At Bromberg & Associates, we help schools take the guesswork out of language access. Our training courses and consultancy services are designed to empower educators, staff, and administrators by:
- Clarifying what language services are available in their school or district.
- Teaching staff how to request and coordinate these services effectively.
- Providing practical tips for working with interpreters and translators.
- Highlighting the importance of plain language and cultural competence.
When everyone in a school understands the available resources and best practices for working with them, communication with LEP families becomes smoother and more inclusive. Meetings aren’t delayed. Parents leave feeling informed and respected. And educators can focus on what they do best—helping students succeed.
Why It Matters
Ms. Wade’s story could have ended differently. If she’d felt confident about the process of requesting an interpreter and was trained in how to work with one, Carlos’s parents could have been included from the start. Instead of avoidance and delay, there could have been a productive discussion about how to support Carlos.
Schools thrive when all families are actively involved in their children’s education. Language access isn’t just a courtesy—it’s the foundation of equity and inclusion.
Let’s Make It Happen
At Bromberg & Associates, we’ve spent decades helping schools create systems that work for everyone. From interpreters to translators to digital solutions, we provide the expertise to ensure your school meets its legal obligations and creates a welcoming environment for LEP families.
True language access is a team effort. Let’s work together to empower your staff with the knowledge and tools they need to support every family, every time.
Reach out to us today to learn how we can help your school make meaningful language access a reality.