Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
Individuals who are unable to communicate effectively in English either verbally or in writing, or both, because their primary language is not English, and they have not developed fluency in the English language. A person with limited English proficiency may have difficulty in one or more of four domains of language: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Staff are urged to remember that limited English proficiency may be context-specific – e.g., a parent may have sufficient English language skills to understand, communicate, and exchange basic information with a teacher but they may not have sufficient skills to communicate detailed, specific information needed in a particular context, like an IEP meeting, a 504 meeting, or a student discipline hearing.

LEP Parent
A parent or guardian with limited proficiency in English, regardless of their child’s English fluency.

Primary Language
The primary language spoken by a student’s parent or guardian, or the predominant language spoken in the student’s home. Parents may have more than one primary language and/or dialect. 

Language Services
A broad spectrum of services used or required to facilitate communication and understanding between speakers of different languages, and typically includes interpretation and translation services. 

Interpretation
The process of first fully understanding, analyzing, and processing a spoken or signed message and then faithfully rendering it into another spoken or signed language.

Translation
The process of communicating the meaning of a written source-language text into an equivalent target-language text so that the content of both texts can be considered the same.

Identification of Families Needing Language Access Services
The process by which Mount Vernon School District identifies LEP families is through the Home Language Survey which is part of the enrollment packet. 

OPI Services
Over the phone interpreting services or over the phone interpreter. This is an on-demand service currently provided by Propio and available to all staff. 

VRI Services
Video remote interpreting services or video remote interpreter. This is an on-demand service currently provided by Propio and available to all staff. 

The district offers the following language services at no cost:

• In Person Interpretation: Available in multiple languages upon request through trained staff interpreters or contracted vendors.

• Translation: Vital documents can be translated upon request, subject to language population and a few days’ notice. Vital district documents are translated into the district’s top languages, Spanish, Ukrainian and Russian, with audio versions in Mixteco when possible.

• Over-the-Phone Interpretation (OPI) and Video Remote Interpretation (VRI): Available on-demand in over 300 languages through our provider Propio.

• Sign Language Interpretation: Sign Language interpreters are available upon request though contracted vendors or through our on-demand VRI services, Propio.

• Pocketalk Devices: All schools have access to Pocketalk devices for basic communication needs. Please note that machine translation has limitations and may not be accurate for all content. 

• Remind App: Remind is the district’s primary communication tool, enabling two-way communication between staff and families in multiple languages. Parents/guardians can set their preferred language on the login page of Remind or the mobile app. To download the app:

  • iOS Apple App Store

  • Android - Google Play Store

  • Log in from your browser

• Talk and Listen Kits for In-Person Simultaneous Interpretation: The district has equipment with receivers and transmitters, called Talk & Listen System, for in-person simultaneous interpretation. These devices must be used for in-person events requiring simultaneous interpretation. Staff must reserve them if their building does not have one. For events longer than one hour, staff must request two simultaneous interpreters to align with industry standards.

NOTE: Staff please confirm the family’s preferred language first by going into Skyward; click on the Student’s Family Tab, then check the “Preferred Language” field. 

In-Person Interpretation Services:

• Staff should use multilingual staff in their building for basic communication needs, to support families with enrollment, answer questions and other similar last minute language supports.

• Staff can arrange for a trained staff interpreter to interpret for pre-arranged meetings such as parent-teacher conferences, special education meetings, disciplinary meetings, and similar meetings.
  • Please refer to the list of trained staff interpreters.
  • If a trained staff interpreter is unavailable, the Interpreter Request Form must be completed or staff can use our on-demand OPI or VRI services through our provider Propio (see more details under OPI and VRI Services). 
• Staff can request an in-person Sign Language interpreter by completing the Interpreter Request Form or access an on-demand video remote interpreter (VRI) through our provider Propio (see more details under OPI and VRI Services).
• Staff can also use the Pocketalk devices found in every school’s main office for basic communication needs.

Translation Services:

• Staff should reach out to multilingual staff to translate non-vital documents (e.g., flyers, school newsletters, notes).
• For vital documents (e.g., IEPs, district forms) staff should submit the Written Translation Request Form. Please provide an editable document either in Google Docs or Word.​​​​​​

OPI Services: 

• Staff can access on-demand over-the-phone interpretation (OPI) services in over 300 languages through our provider Propio. All district staff are authorized and encouraged to use this service.

  • Click HERE for a Demo Video for OPI services

  • Click HERE for Instructions on How to Access OPI Services (Instruction Card)

VRI Services:

• Staff can access on-demand video remote interpreting (VRI) services in over 300 languages through Propio ONE. All district staff are authorized and encouraged to use this service.

  •  Click HERE for a Demo Video for VRI

  • Click HERE for Instructions on How to Access VRI Service (Propio ONE)

  • Web Link for VRI Services (Propio ONE): ONE.PROPIO-LS.COM

  • For staff who have a district-provided mobile device or tablet, you can also download the Propio ONE App to access a video interpreter. iOS Apple Store  | Android Google Play Store

Essential information, notifications, and announcements will be provided in multiple languages through various channels:

• Language Posters: Language posters are displayed at every school’s main office. These posters allow visitors with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) to point to their language, ensuring they can be promptly directed to the appropriate language services.
• Website: Information will be available on the district website in multiple languages. Families can select their language by using the button at the top-right hand corner of the website.
• Remind App: The district will use the Remind App to communicate with families in their preferred languages. All critical emergency information will be shared through the Remind App and available in multiple languages. 

• Best Practices for Staff
  • Pocketalks Best Practices
  • Best Practices for Staff Member Working with Interpreters
• Request Forms
  • Interpreting Services Request Form
  • Written Translation Request Form
• Propio Videos and Resources
  • Phone OPI Video Tutorial
  • Propio ONE (VRI) Video Tutorial
  • How to Access Propio OPI and Propio ONE (VRI) Instruction Card
  • Propio List of Languages
  • Pre-scheduling an interpreter with Propio ONE (VRI)

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.

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.

Talk with your school district. You can also contact the Mount Vernon School District’s Civil Rights Compliance officer Jon Ronngren at 360-428-6110 or jronngren@mvsd320.org to share your concerns.

Ask for help resolving your concerns. You can also contact the agencies below for more information about your rights or for assistance to resolve your concerns.

• Equity and Civil Rights Office
  Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
  360-725-6162 | k12.wa.us/equity
   
• Office of the Education Ombuds
  1-866-297-2597 | oeo.wa.gov