Building Bridges for Language Access in Education
On Thursday May 2nd, Innovate Public Schools, in partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), hosted a “Know Your Rights Forum: SFUSD Policy 5023.” Organizers and Parent Leaders created the event to raise awareness and garner support for the translation and interpretation policy aimed at improving accessibility for parents of English Learner students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). A diverse group of parents, educators, and community members from across San Francisco attended the event at the Southeast Community Center, showcasing a collaborative effort to break language barriers and ensure equitable access to a high-quality education.
Innovate Parent Leader Carmen Rodriguez opened up the event by sharing in Spanish,
“Tonight we stand in solidarity with so many families in the school district who need access to quality translation services. We celebrate being bilingual, we believe we contribute and we are not inadequate just because we speak another language. We want to thank all the teachers and employees of SFUSD who are present with us today. We believe that if we work together- teachers, parents and students – we will always see successful outcomes.”
Advocating for Change: The Genesis of SFUSD’s Policy 5023
The collaboration between Innovate Parent Leaders and SFUSD started in 2021. When parent leaders recognized a significant backlog in translation and interpretation services for families of students with IEPs, they took action and advocated for improved services. For parents who are already navigating a complex special education system, receiving IEP meeting materials in a language they understand, and in a timely manner, is crucial. This collaboration between families and educators aims to address this gap and ensure equitable access to information that impacts student outcomes.
Policy 5023 was unanimously passed by the SFUSD board in Spring of 2022. The policy came as a result of organized parents combating the impacts of learning loss from the pandemic, especially for students with special needs.
Currently, English Learner students make up 28% of the district’s student population, and 13% represent students with special needs. Given that only two out of ten SFUSD students with special needs are at grade level in English Language Arts (ELA), language accessibility is essential for parents who speak a language other than English to effectively support their children.
Bridging Communities: Insights from the SFUSD Policy 5023 Forum
SFUSD leaders, including Board Vice President Matt Alexander and Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Jean Robertson, shared insights on Policy 5023 and how it aims to guarantee access to timely, high-quality translation and interpretation services for SFUSD families. With a diverse student population fluent in 52 distinct languages, the district recognizes the critical role language access plays in supporting the academic success of English Learner students receiving special education services.
“[Policy 5023] is important for me as a parent, as I have two children in special education and I come from a Chinese background where finding resources that can help support them can be difficult at times. Policy 5023 is important to English learner parents because it provides the opportunity for families to connect with their child and understand their exact needs.” – Shan Hong, Innovate Parent Leader
Noelia Solval, an Innovate Parent Leader in SFUSD whose son has an IEP, described how the lack of timely and quality interpretation services made her feel even more isolated from the resources she needed to support her son. This added to the challenges she faced as she processed her son’s diagnosis.
Policy 5023 serves as a beacon of hope for parents like Noelia, who shared in Spanish, “My trust and faith is strengthened by knowing that there are people who inspire and motivate me, people who help and fight for equal opportunities, empathy, and respect for all children in general and especially for children with special educational needs.”
Best Practices for Collaboration: Lessons from SFUSD Educators
After hearing from families and district leaders, Innovate Parent Leaders led a panel discussion with five educators in special education from various schools throughout SFUSD. The discussion largely focused on sharing best practices to strengthen collaboration between parents and teachers in order to improve student outcomes.
Teachers underscored the importance of maintaining visibility on school campuses and ensuring various accessible communication channels for parents, including letters, email, newsletters, and text messages in multiple languages. They also stressed the significance of building trust and fostering a sense of community among parents and teachers, particularly for families new to the IEP system.
During the panel, a message of unity was emphasized, with one educator noting, “Don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers. We’re all on the same team, and we want the best for your children.”
The forum showcased the partnership between Innovate Public Schools and SFUSD in pioneering new standards for language accessibility and educational equity. It marked a significant stride in the ongoing quest to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities for all families, regardless of language proficiency.
For further details on Policy 5023 please visit What Parents Should Know About SFUSD’s Policy 5023 or contact Innovate Community Organizer, Belen Martinez at [email protected]
Innovate Public Schools is a nonprofit community organization that builds the capacity of parents and educators working together to create excellent and equitable public schools.