Agenda Item
Meeting Date:
6/25/2021 - 7:00 PM  
Category:
Teaching, Learning and Leadership  
Type:
Info  
Subject:
Update on Language Line Services for ACPS Families  
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement
ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
 
Policy:
IA - Instructional Goals and Objectives  
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable):
 
File Attachment:
210625_Brief_Update_on_Language_Line_Services_for_ACPS_Families.pdf
 
Agenda Item Summary:
 
Background:
Among its findings, the 2019-2020 division-wide Family Engagement Evaluation showed that only 13% of “secret shoppers” who called ACPS school buildings -- and who spoke a language other than English or Spanish -- were successfully connected to interpretation services during the phone call. The remaining callers were either disconnected or referred to the Central Office and could not get answers to their questions. Given the implications for family-school relationships in a school division where 120 languages are spoken, the evaluation included a prioritized recommendation to increase the effective utilization of existing family communication tools like Language Line, a telephone interpretation service that ACPS has been using for many years. This service allows ACPS staff to connect with an interpreter via phone while conversing with a non-English speaking family via phone, Zoom, or in person.  
Recommendation
The Superintendent recommends the School Board review this information to understand the new Direct Response system available through Language Line.  
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Terri H. Mozingo - Chief Academic Officer
Signed By:  
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent