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Language Services

Language Access Parent Rights

Interpretation and Translation Services

All parents have the right to information in their child’s education in a language they understand. When your child enrolls in school, the school will ask you about the language you would like to use when communicating with the school. This helps your school identify your language needs so they can provide an interpreter or translated documents, free of charge.

  • You are an important part of your child’s education! The school will communicate with you – in your language – about your child’s education. This often includes translated documents and a language interpreter for meetings.  

    Although some additional time or coordination may be needed to provide support for some languages, it is the school district’s responsibility to provide the most adequate available interpretation or translation as soon as possible.   

    You have the right to request important information about your child be translated in your language even if you speak some English and even if your child speaks or reads in English. This includes information about:  

    • Registration and enrollment in school
    • Grades, academic standards, and graduation
    • School rules and student discipline
    • Attendance, absences, and withdrawal
    • Parent permission for activities or programs 
    • Health, safety, and emergencies
    • School closures 
    • Opportunities to access programs or services—including highly capable, advanced placement, and Multi-Lingual Language Learner programs
    • Special education and services for students with disabilities 

  • You can request an interpreter when you talk with teachers or school employees if you need one. This includes parent-teacher conferences, meetings about special education, or any other conversation about your child’s education. Some additional time may be needed to provide support for some languages.

    The school will make every effort to use only competent interpreters who are fluent in English and in your language. The school will not use students or children as interpreters. The school will also not rely on your children or family members to interpret for you as, by law, that is the school district’s responsibility.

    The interpreter should be neutral and should communicate everything said during the conversation. They should not omit or add what anyone says. The school will make sure interpreters understand their role and the need to keep information confidential. The interpreter might be in person, virtually, or on the phone.

  • The school district will translate important written information into the most common languages spoken in the school district. If you receive information that is not in your language, please let the school know if you would like it translated or explained orally to you in your language. Vital or important documents should be done by a competent and/or qualified translator. The school can use artificial intelligence or online tools for shorter, non-vital documents or messages but they should make every effort to have the translation reviewed by a competent translator or person who is fluent in the language.

    You can write a note, letter or email to your child’s school in your language and the school will get it translated for you.

Have questions or concerns? Need support?

If you have any questions or would like to request an interpreter or translation, your school can help. You can ask anyone in the school for help, or contact the language access coordinator, (253) 583-5133, language@cloverpark.k12.wa.us.

Addressing concerns and complaints

These are your rights!

Under state and federal civil rights laws, you have the right to access information in your language.

Ask the main office for a copy of the district’s language access policy and procedure. You can also read them online here: [Insert links to district’s language access policies here]

Concerns and complaints

If you have concerns about the school’s interpretation or translation services – or if you were not offered an interpreter or translation you needed – you have several options.

  1. Talk with your principal or a school employee you are comfortable with. A discussion with your school principal is often the best first step to address your concerns. Explain what happened, and let the principal know what they can do to help resolve the problem.

  2. Talk to your school district. You can also contact the school district to share your concerns. You can call the school district’s Language Access Coordinator, Civil Rights Coordinator or the superintendent’s office at the contact information below.

    Language Access Coordinator
    (253) 583-5133
    languagehelp@cloverpark.k12.wa.us

    Civil Rights Coordinator Greg Davis
    (253) 583-5154
    Contact Form for Greg Davis

    Clover Park School District
    Superintendent’s Office
    (253) 583-5190

  3. Ask for help resolving your concerns from other organizations. You can also contact these agencies for more information about your rights or for assistance to resolve your concerns.

  4. You can file a complaint. To file a complaint, explain what happened in writing – in your language – and send it to the school district’s Executive Director of Compliance and Student Services by mail, email, or hand delivered. Make sure to keep a copy for your records.

    Greg Davis
    Executive Director of Compliance and Student Services
    Clover Park School District
    (253) 583-5154
    Contact Form for Greg Davis

Within 30 calendar days, the school district will investigate your complaint and respond to you in writing. More information about your complaint options are online here:  

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: How to File a Complaint

Please know that the school may not retaliate against you or your child for sharing concerns or filing a complaint.