Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Interpreters for discipline cases

Author:
Discipline cases involving suspensions and expulsions are very difficult for parents. Apart from the obvious parental challenges, it can be confusing and intimidating for any of us to sit before review panels of authoritative figures who we don't know. Those who are likely to have the most difficult time are those who don't fully understand the many letters and policies provided to them and the implications of their response to all that paperwork.

As a result, I have made a proposla to provide interpreter services to parents whose children face long term suspensions (greater than 10 days) and expulsion. The specific language is below:

Upon request by the parent(s) or guardian(s), for whom English is not the primary language, LCPS will provide a reasonable amount of interpreter services to assist with each of the elements in this policy including but not limited to understanding notices, submitting requests and participating in hearings, provided that such interpreter shall not serve as an advocate at any hearing. LCPS will notify parents of the availability of these services as part of all notices provided under this policy.


The Board will vote on this proposal tonight.
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7 comments:

  1. So if a child does something horrible enough, we provide interpreter services? I'm sure you don't get expelled for 10+ days for small violations. People in this position may need an attorney. Perhaps we should provide that too? And maybe a nice meal. Just don't get it.
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  2. As minors, their guardians have a right to understanding the due process --- thanks for filling the loophole. Under your proposal, the term "reasonable" leaves this open to subjectivity which does not lead to fair and consistent decisions. Look into the language provided for interpreters under Child Find to see if it is helpful.
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  3. Guardians have a "need" to understand the process, not a "right" for services. Guardians finding themselves in this position may need parental advise more than interpretive services. Being a good parent is the same in any language. And why learn English when the system provides an interpreter?
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  4. Is there already a policy in place for parents who have vision and/or hearing disabilities?
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  5. Visual & hearing impairments are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    I'm happy to report that the Board passed this policy unanimously at last night's meeting.
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  6. Excellent news!! I'm so pleased!
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  7. Liz,

    Let's say for instance that a child with non-english-speaking parents attacked your child at school and got expelled for 10+ days. Would you then jump for joy that his/her parents have an interpreter provided? Or would it instead feel like the system was helping the people responsible for some horrible action while abandoning the victim?

    I'm not saying that people in this position don't "need" an interpreter; just that it shouldn't be the system's responsibility to provide it.

    I would however advocate providing assistance to publicly log on a web site the details of the events that caused the student to be expelled for 10+ days. And it seems reasonable that these details be logged in several languages. There, I've advocated interpretive assistance. We agree after all.
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