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Language Access

Language Access and Multilingual Programs

Updated 11/27/2024

Access OEO's Services with Interpretation or Translation

Request Interpretation when you call.

OEO uses a telephone interpreter service. Call 1-866-297-2597 and request an interpreter by saying the name of the language you speak.

Request a translation or interpretation of OEO documents by calling 1-866-297-2597 or emailing us at oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov 

Language Access Resources for Families

Family members have a right to receive important information from schools in a language they can understand.  School Districts must provide interpretation and/or translation services, when needed, to communicate with multilingual families.

Read more about the Rights of Multilingual families and obligations of school districts from the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights information sheet (link to pdf): here

Interpretation Tips translated into:

Quick tips for Parents/Families

If you need interpretation or translation to understand information from your child's school or to communicate with your child's school:

  • Ask for an interpreter at the school's front desk, or ask if the staff person can get an interpreter on the telephone using a “language line”;

  • Call the school's main phone number and ask for an interpreter;

  • Send a short email (in English or in your primary language) asking for someone to call you, with an interpreter, to plan a meeting or talk about a question or concern.

If you need help, please call OEO at 1-866-267-2597. Phone interpretation is available.

If you have questions, or need help getting interpretation or translation, try contacting:

  • Your child's Principal;

  • Your school district's Director of Multilingual Learner (MLs) Services / English Language Learner (ELL) Services; or

  • Your school district's Equity Director.

Example email to request an interpreter:

"Dear Teacher (or Principal, Counselor, Nurse):

My name is ____ I am the parent / legal guardian of ____. I want to talk with you about ______. Can you please call me with an interpreter? My phone number is: ____. Thank you."

If you receive a written notice, an email or other document in English, and you need it translated, ask the person who sent it for a translation into your primary language. If the person cannot provide a complete written translation in time, ask to meet with a school staff member and an interpreter to interpret / translate the document orally, with enough time for you to take notes.
Resources for School Districts / Educators

Language Access Resources for School Districts / Educators

Visit OEO's web page on Communicating with Families Using an Interpreter. Also available as a PDF.

"Quick Tips for Interpreted Meetings" (for WSASP)

Webinar "Working Effectively with Interpreters" Hosted by Open Doors For Multicultural Families 03.02.2021

Find information and resources at OSPI's Equity & Civil Rights Interpretation and Translation Services page, including:

  • Civil rights laws that require school districts to communicate with parents in a language they can understand;
  • Fact sheets on Parents' Rights re Interpretation and Translation Services translated into 21 different languages;http://www.k12.wa.us/Equity/Interpretation.aspx 
  • Multi-language poster informing families how to request interpretation or translation;
  • Link to WSSDA Language Access Policy and Procedure;
  • Details for setting up a telephone interpreter service and/or written translation services via the state contract;
  • Links to online training for interpreters, and school staff who work with interpreters.

*The Seal of Biliteracy should be considered for any student who can demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and one or more world languages.

Interpretation Tips Card translated into:

Multilingual Learners (MLs) / English Language Learners (ELLs) / English Learners (ELs)

Students who are learning English are often called Multilingual Learners (MLs), English Language Learners (ELLs) or English Learners (ELs). School Districts are required to make sure that their students can participate in meaningful ways in the school and its programs. 

Schools need to:

  • Identify Multilingual Learners (MLs), English Language Learners (ELLs) or English Learners (ELs): At the beginning of each school year, and when new families move into the school, school districts ask about home languages in order to try to identify students who might need English language instruction and supports.
  • Assess Multilingual Learners (MLs), English Language Learners (ELLs) or English Learners (ELs): If a student is still learning English and might need help with English, school districts will do a test, or “assessment”, as soon as possible, to determine how much English the student knows and where the student needs help. Students are tested every year to help the school decide if they are still eligible for English Learner instructional supports. To understand what the language proficiency test results mean and what the levels are, look at OSPI's Multilingual Education Program website: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/access-opportunity-education/migrant-and-multilingual-education/multilingual-education-program.​​​​
  • Provide Educational Access and Supports for Multilingual Learners (MLs), English Language Learners (ELLs) or English Learners (ELs): In Washington State, school districts must provide “transitional bilingual instructional programs” (unless it is not practical) that include teaching the student in the student's primary language while the student is also learning English.  If it is not practical, then the district will offer educational access through accommodations and paraeducator support.  Parents/Legal Guardians may choose to opt-out of English Learner programs.
  • Ensure Equal Access and Inclusion of Multilingual Learners (MLs), English Language Learners (ELLs) or English Learners (ELs): School districts must make sure that English Learners have the opportunity to participate in all district programs and services that they qualify for, including Highly Capable programs, and extra-curricular programs.

Sometimes, making sure that the student can participate means offering interpretation or translation. If you have questions about how or whether an English Learner can participate in a school program or service, try:

  • Talking to the school principal; and/or
  • Contacting the school district's Multilingual Learner / English Language Learner / English Learner department.

If you need help, please contact OEO. 

Learn more about how school districts can provide meaningful access for students learning English by reading the US Department of Education's English Learner Toolkit. Available in multiple languages on the US Department of Education's website, here: https://www.ed.gov/teaching-and-administration/supporting-students/english-learner-tool-kit-oela

Learn more about Multilingual Learner / English Learner Assessments and Programs at OSPI's Multilingual Education Program web page: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/access-opportunity-education/migrant-and-multilingual-education.

Supporting Bilingual Abilities

Supporting Bilingual Abilities

Washington state public schools are doing many different things to encourage students to learn more than one language. Some schools offer dual language immersion programs for students who speak English as a primary language, meaning that students learn in English and another language.

For students who speak a primary language other than English, there are Transitional Bilingual Instructional Programs that may be offered in their primary language and English.  There are also opportunities to earn required language credits for high school graduation by taking a competency test.

School districts are also encouraged to partner, in government-to-government relationships with Tribes, to offer opportunities to learn indigenous Tribal languages, taught by teachers certified by the Tribes.

Finally, students who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in English and another language can earn a Seal of Biliteracy when they graduate.

Dual Language Immersion Programs

What they are: Programs where students receive instruction directly in two languages during the school day. The goal is for students to learn to speak, listen, read and write in both languages. Generally, students are expected to participate in a Dual Language program for several years to reach that goal. 

Where they are: In an increasing number of public schools in Washington state. Check out the map posted on OSPI's Report Card web page to find current Dual Language programs around the state: https://washingtonstatereportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ReportCard/ViewSchoolOrDistrict/103300. 

Who can participate: Generally, dual language programs are “choice” programs. That means families that are interested can request that their child be placed in a dual language program. If there is more interest in the program than space available, districts might use a lottery system or a first come/first placed system. Check with your district's office to find out if there is a Dual Language Immersion option in your district, and what the process is for enrolling. 

What languages are taught: Spanish and English Dual Language programs are most common in Washington State. Some districts have Dual Language programs that combine Japanese and English; Mandarin Chinese and English; and Vietnamese and English. We can expect to see more languages added over time. 

Where to learn more: Find resources for Professional Learning and Curriculum and watch videos featuring some of Washington's dual language programs at OSPI's Dual Language website: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/access-opportunity-education/migrant-and-multilingual-education/multilingual-education-program/dual-language-education-and-resources.

World Language Competency Credits

School districts in Washington State can offer students the option of taking an exam that shows their ability to speak, listen, read, and write in a language other than English.  Students can earn up to 4 high school credits for world language.

  • Students can earn credits by showing what they know on the language exams, without having to take a class at school.
  • For students who have maintained their ability to speak in their own, or their family's primary language, they can use these experiences to earn credits toward graduation requirements.
  • Students can earn credits in languages that are not offered as courses at their own high school.

To earn credits, students will need to be able to speak, listen, read and write in the language.  Sometimes, students who speak a language other than English at home will need to spend some time studying the language more formally to do well on the exam. 

Learn More: Students/Families and Educators – find more information about the competency credit option and Sample World Language Tests at OSPI's World Languages web page, here: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/world-languages/world-language-proficiency-assessment-options. 

To find out details regarding when and where tests are offered, and whether there is a fee, contact your high school counselor, look on your district's web page, or call your district's office. 

Community schools and culture clubs can work with their local school districts to propose that students receive World Language Competency-based Credit based on an agreement between the district and program. Work with the district to determine whether students can be granted the credits before they take a test or class. For more information, visit OSPI's World Languages web page. https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/world-languages.

If your district does not yet offer a World Language Competency Credit test, talk with your school counselor and principal, and reach out to your district's administration to ask about options for making the tests available.  If you need help, contact OEO. For more information on the program visit the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's Road Map World Language Credit Program page: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/world-languages.

World Language Credit Brochures (links to pdfs) English (black & white) Amharic Arabic Chinese Nepali Punjabi Russian Somali Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese 

World Language Credits Video Clips on YouTube Courtesy of OneAmerica: Samoan Somali Spanish Tagalog Tigrinya, Vietnamese Amharic Cambodian Chinese Korean Punjabi Russian Arabic

Washington State Seal of Biliteracy

School districts in Washington can offer students the option of earning the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more world languages in addition to English. Students can earn the Seal in different ways, including: 

  • Taking world language courses at school and earning strong scores on AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) World Language exams
  • Earning 4 World Language Competency-based Credits

For more details, including other ways students can demonstrate a high level of proficiency in a world language, visit OSPI's World Languages web page, here: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/world-languages/washington-state-seal-biliteracy.

School districts do not have to participate, but they can.  If your district does not offer the option of the Seal of Biliteracy, talk with your high school counselor and principal and reach out to your school district administrators. Educators interested in learning more about how to participate and offer the Seal of Biliteracy can find detailed information at OSPI's World Languages web page, here: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/world-languages/washington-state-seal-biliteracy.

*The Seal of Biliteracy should be considered for any student who can demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and one or more world languages.

Native American / Indigenous Languages

Prior to the 1800s, the languages most commonly spoken in the area that is now Washington State included different Coast Salish languages spoken by Tribes in the Puget Sound region, Interior Salish languages spoken by Tribes east of the Cascade mountains and languages spoken by the Makah, Quileute and other tribes on the Pacific coast. Despite U.S. government policies that aimed to erase Native languages and cultural traditions, Tribes in this region have preserved their languages, and are working to revitalize their use among youth and elders.

All school districts in Washington State are now required to incorporate tribal government, history and culture into their social studies curricula, and districts are encouraged to offer instruction in Native American languages. Districts are encouraged to develop government-to-government relationships with the Tribes in their areas to partner in meeting this charge.

Many Tribes offer resources and classes in their languages through their Tribal language or education departments, and partner with their area school districts to ensure students can earn credit for learning their own language. Some school districts offer classes at elementary or high school levels in their area Tribes' languages.

Teachers of Native American languages must be certified according to the First Peoples' Language, Culture and Oral Tribal Traditions Certification Program. (Read more about the Certification program, here: https://www.pesb.wa.gov/innovation-policy/equity-initiatives/first-peoples-language-culture-and-oral-traditions-certification/). 

Learn more: Many Tribal Governments share information about their history, culture and languages on their websites and in their museums.  Find links and information about Washington Tribes at the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA): www.goia.wa.gov or at Washington Tribes: www.washingtontribes.org.

Learn More: Read about and find curriculum materials for the Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum developed by the Tribes in Washington in collaboration with OSPI's Office of Native Education, Since Time Immemorial, at: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/access-opportunity-education/native-education.

Seal of Biliteracy - Updated Rules for Tribal Language Proficiency 

For Tribal languages, honoring tribal sovereignty, tribal consultation, and government to government relationships between Tribes and districts, each Tribe determines the level of proficiency students need to be considered biliterate. Tribes develop the methods and processes for determining proficiency in their respective Tribal languages. Teachers who instruct Tribal languages must be certified through the First Peoples’ Language, Culture, and Oral Traditions Certification Program. Affirmation that students have successfully earned the Seal of Biliteracy for Tribal languages follows the agreed processes determined through consultation with each Tribe. For additional information, please contact the Office of Native Education. 

Resources in English

Resources in Languages other than English

አማርኛ
/ Amharic

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

የወላጆች መብቶች መረጃ ወረቀት: ትርጉም እና የትርጉም አገልግሎቶች

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

عربى
/ Arabic

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Arabic_بطاقة نصائح الترجمة الفورية

Communicating-with-Schools_Language-Access-Trifold-Multilanguage.pdf 

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources
ورقة معلومات حقوق الوالدين: خدمات الترجمة الشفوية والترجمة

https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/equity/interpretationtranslationservices/OSPI_Arabic_InterpretationTranslationServices.pdf

https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/equity-and-civil-rights/information-families-civil-rights-washington-schools/interpretation-and-translation-services

U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ocr

ضمان المشاركة الھادفة والمتساویة لمتعلمي اللغة الإنجلیزیة فى البرامج التعلیمیة.

معلومات للآباء وأولیاء الأمور الذین لا یجیدون اللغة الإنجلیزیة (LEP (وللمدارس و ُمدیریات التعلیم التي تتواصل معھم

ဗမာဘာသာစကား / Burmese

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights


ភាសាខ្មែរ / Cambodian/Khmer

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

សន្លឹកព័ត៌មានស្តីពីសិទ្ធិរបស់ឪពុកម្តាយៈសេវាកម្មបកប្រែនិងបកប្រែ

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

简体中文

/ Chinese Simplified

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources
父母权利信息表：口译和翻译服务

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

中國傳統語言 / Chinese Traditional

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Chuukese

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Dari

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

فارسی / Farsi

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

  •  

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Française

/ French

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources
Services d'interprétation et de traduction
En vertu des lois nationales et fédérales, tous les parents ont le droit d'être informés sur
l'éducation de leur enfant dans une langue qu'ils peuvent comprendre.

Informations de contact
Équité et droits civils
360-725-6162
equity@k12.wa.us
ATS:
360-664-3631

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Deutsche / German

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Kreyòl Ayisyen / Haitian Creole

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Sèvis Entèpretasyon ak Tradiksyon yo Anba lwa eta a ak federal, tout paran gen dwa pou jwenn enfòmasyon sou edikasyon pitit yo nan yon lang yo ka konprann.

Kontak Enfòmasyon Ekite ak Dwa Sivil yo

360-725-6162

equity@k12.wa.us

TTY: 360-664-3631

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Hakha Chin/ Laitong

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

हिन्दी / Hindi

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

माता-पिता के अधिकार सूचना पत्र: व्याख्या और अनुवाद सेवाएं

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Hmoob 

/ Hmong

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Kev Pab Txhais Lus thiab Txhais Ntawv Raws li lub xeev thiab tsoomfwv txoj cai lij choj, txhua tus niam txiv muaj cai paub txog lawv tus menyuam txoj kev kawm ua hom lus uas lawv tuaj yeem nkag siab.

Cov ntaub ntawv tiv toj Kev Muaj Vaj Huam Sib Luag & Txoj Cai Li Pej Xeem

360-725-6162

equity@k12.wa.us

TTY: 360-664-3631

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

日本語 / Japanese

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

保護者の権利情報シート：通訳および翻訳サービス

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Karen

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

한국어 / Korean

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

부모의 권리 정보 시트 : 통역 및 번역 서비스

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

ໄທລາວ / Laotian

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Marshallese

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Parents' Rights Information Sheet: Interpretation and Translation Services

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Mixteco

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

नेपाली / Nepali

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Oromo

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Pashto

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights Resources

Język polski / Polish

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources
Usługi tłumaczeń ustnych i pisemnych
Zgodnie z prawem stanowym i federalnym wszyscy rodzice mają prawo do informacji o edukacji
swojego dziecka w języku, który mogą zrozumieć.

Informacje kontaktowe
Kapitały własne i prawa obywatelskie
360-725-6162
equity@k12.wa.us
TTY:
360-664-3631

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Língua portuguesa / Portuguese

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources
Serviços de interpretação e tradução
De acordo com as leis estaduais e federais, todos os pais têm direito a informações sobre a educação
de seus filhos em um idioma que eles possam entender.
Informações de Contato
Equidade e direitos civis
360-725-6162
equity@k12.wa.us TTY: 360-664-3631

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ / Punjabi

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

ਮਾਪਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਸ਼ੀਟ: ਵਿਆਖਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਅਨੁਵਾਦ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Română / Romanian

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Parents' Rights Information Sheet: Interpretation and Translation Services

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

русский /  

Russian

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Sāmoa / Samoan

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Pepa Faʻamatalaga Aia Tatau a Matua: Faʻauiga ma Faʻaliliuga Auaunaga

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Serbo-Croatian

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Soomaali / Somali

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Español / Spanish

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources / Recursos de la oficina de educación y resolución de quejas 

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Kiswahili / Swahili

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Tagalog / Tagalog

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Sheet Impormasyon sa Mga Karapatan ng Mga Magulang: Serbisyo sa Pagsasalin at Pagsasalin

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

தமிழ் / Tamil

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

తెలుగు / Telugu

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

తల్లిదండ్రుల హక్కుల సమాచార షీట్: వివరణ మరియు అనువాద సేవలు

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

ไทย / Thai

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Tigrinya

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Parents' Rights Information Sheet: Interpretation and Translation Services

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Українська / Ukrainian

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Інформаційний лист батьківських прав: Послуги з перекладу та перекладу

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

ไทย
/ Urdu

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources
والدین کی حقوق سے متعلق معلوماتی شیٹ: تشریح اور ترجمے کی خدمات

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights

Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Resources

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

Bảng thông tin về quyền của phụ huynh: Dịch vụ phiên dịch và dịch thuật

Department of Education Office of Civil Rights