Ensure Language Access for Families Navigating Individualized Education Plans
- California is home to 10 million immigrants. Two in 10 immigrants report that they do not speak English very well and 10% report that they do not speak English.
- In order for parents to fully understand important documents for their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), they need timely access to documents in their native language.
- In California, more than 773,000 students, or 13%, have IEPs. The IEP is a written statement and legal document that outlines students’ learning goals and services needed. The IEP process has many steps and can be very overwhelming for parents and guardians, especially if that person’s first language is not English.
- While state law requires districts and schools to provide translated IEP documents, the problem occurs when they do not provide the translated IEP in a timely manner and through a qualified translator.
- SB 445 will ensure parents who don’t speak English will receive translated IEP documents within 30 days of request by a qualified translator, as defined in the bill.
