Policy supporting students learning English, parents, and families

(1) An LEA shall adopt a policy addressing the LEA's communication and assistance to students learning English, their parents, and their families. (2) The policy shall provide: (a) guidance on the appropriate use of an interpreter and recommended interpreter qualifications, including certification or education-specific experience, for the following: (i) classroom activities; (ii) impromptu and scheduled office visits or phone calls; (iii) enrollment or registration processes; (iv) the IEP process; (v) student educational and occupational planning processes; (vi) fee waiver processes; (vii) parent engagement activities; (viii) student disciplinary meetings; (ix) school community councils; (x) school board meetings; (xi) other school or LEA activities; and (xii) other interactions between the parents of a student learning English and educational staff; (b) guidance on the appropriate use of a translator or interpreter for the translation or interpretation of: (i) registration or enrollment materials, including home language surveys and English learning program entrance and exit notifications; (ii) assignments and accompanying materials; (iii) report cards or other progress reports; (iv) student discipline policies and procedures; (v) grievance procedures and notices of rights and nondiscrimination; (vi) parent or family handbooks; and (vii) requests for parent permission; and (c) any other guidance, including guidance on when oral interpretation is preferable to written translation, to improve instruction and assistance by teachers, counselors, and administrators to a student learning English and the student's parents and family. (3) The state board shall provide to an LEA notification of LEA requirements described in this section, a model of the policy described in this section, and guidance and technical assistance regarding existing requirements in relevant statute, administrative rule, and federal law. (4) On or before July 1, 2023, the state board shall provide to the Education Interim Committee a funding projection for annual and one-time costs associated with an LEA's implementation of the policy described in this section.