Newly immigrated families, who might already struggle to navigate the American school system due to lack of familiarity, face additional challenges when they need to go through the process of qualifying a child for special education. Individualized Education Program (IEP) plans are designed to help children in need of accommodations, but the setup process isn’t easy.
To provide each child with the best possible education, clear communication must be established between the parents and the school professionals. And for non-English language preferent (NELP) families, access to quality interpretation services is crucial.
Related: Interpreters in Education Are a Must — And I’m Fluent in English
Starting the IEP Journey
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) process typically starts with a formal written request from a parent to evaluate their child. However, the parent first needs to be made aware that there is a concern with their child’s ability to be educated at grade level, and that what they need to do is to submit a request for an evaluation in writing.
Remember that the English language is often less direct in expression — a parent may not correlate “some difficulty” to a real problem and dismiss the educator’s concerns. Or, on the contrary, they may assume that their child’s needs are too severe.
When working with underprivileged families in my community, I met some who kept their disabled children at home, as is customary in their country of origin. They didn’t realize that the school system could provide support for their children’s education.
With access to interpreters, these families could have used the resources that would transform their children’s lives for the better so much sooner.
The IEP Process
Once the school receives the IEP request, they must schedule a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) evaluation for the child. Then, the MET puts together a report with the results of the evaluation and meets with the family to discuss their findings.
The information in the report is often technical in nature and formulaic in structure. It can be difficult to comprehend even without a language barrier, and any misunderstanding around eligibility criteria or proposed interventions may determine the type and the extent to which services are provided.
Suffice to say, IEP meetings are difficult for parents. They also tend to be long and exhausting for the interpreter. When you’re called to interpret, these tips will help.
Know the Process
Familiarize yourself with the IEP process. A Day in Our Shoes, a website with free resources and guidance around IEP, has an excellent post documenting the process.
Keep Track of the People
IEP meetings have six to twelve participants who will all be expected to contribute to the conversation. Note the names of the participants as they introduce themselves to help you distinguish between them as they speak.
Learn the Lingo
Be comfortable using both medical and educational terminology. Explore the links in the “Additional Resources” section below and read up on the most common IEP acronyms.
Maintain the Pace
Learn to effectively manage the flow of communication. Set the expectation early that the speakers must take turns and pause to allow you to interpret. Remember to do so in a polite and professional manner.
Speak Up
Be comfortable communicating audio concerns, including asking team members to get close to the microphone before speaking. You may have to do this more than once, so don’t get frustrated.
Use Your Protocols
Do not be afraid to ask for clarification or repetition. You can’t accurately interpret what you can’t hear or understand.
Manage Your Time
IEP meetings can run long. Plan for no less than one and a half hours and leave room in your schedule in case the meeting goes longer. If servicing the entire session is a concern, it’s best to advise the school team early on.
Drink Fluids
Have water or other fluids available. Since you’re the one repeating everything that is said in the meeting, you will speak an average of five to ten times more than any other participant. Make sure you have enough fluids to keep your vocal cords lubricated throughout a long session.
Stay Composed
One of the biggest frustrations I experienced in my career was IEP calls taken over the phone. It’s extremely challenging to manage a whole room of speakers without any visual cues or a copy of the IEP in front of you for reference, but having patience and kindness when repeatedly addressing communication concerns is paramount. Take some deep breaths and continue to smile as you work.
Remember the Why
Every child deserves the right to be properly educated. When you interpret IEP meetings with integrity and professionalism, you increase access to the best resources and help children thrive.
Additional Resources
- American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education (AAITE)
- National Association of Educational Translators and Interpreters of Spoken Languages (NAETISL)
- National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAIE)
Interested in interpreting for CLI? Check out our careers page!
