LanguageLine provided South Washington County Schools with comprehensive interpretation services including on-demand audio and video interpretation in 240 languages and onsite interpreting, enabling the district to serve 85 languages and meet state and federal compliance requirements.
Building a Language-Access Plan for a Growing Multilingual Community
South Washington County Schools is a suburban Minnesota district that has become noticeably more racially and ethnically diverse over the last decade. The district now serves a substantial and growing multilingual-family population, including Hispanic/Latino families, Asian communities, and East-African and Southeast-Asian immigrant populations.
This diversity translates into a wide range of home languages. Spanish is the largest non-English language, alongside Somali, Hmong, and other Asian and African languages, plus Arabic and various world languages.
As the number of recently arrived and multilingual students continues to grow, the district recognized the need to strengthen communication and formalize its language-access practices.
The Challenge
- Comply with state and federal requirements for language access
- Document and standardize language-access tools, processes, and procedures
- Serve more than 85 languages with reliable, scalable solutions
South Washington County Schools needed to develop a comprehensive language-access plan required by Minnesota Statute 123B.032 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The district wanted to document existing practices, reduce delays in services, and ensure families could access information and meetings in languages they understand. With families speaking more than 85 languages, the district needed solutions that could handle both common and less-frequently requested languages.
"I've honestly never come across a language that LanguageLine did not have," said Dr. Megan Hickey, Executive Director of Student Support Services, when describing the district's approach to serving diverse language needs.
How We Helped
- On-demand audio and video interpretation
- iPad interpreter pilot program
- Onsite interpreting services
- Flexible service delivery
- Clear cost structure and operational support
LanguageLine provided South Washington County Schools with interpretation services designed to meet the diverse needs of their multilingual community. The district implemented on-demand telephonic and video remote interpreting (VRI) in more than 240 languages, including American Sign Language (ASL). This ensures the district can serve families in any language they need, from the most common to the least frequently requested.
An on-demand iPad interpreter pilot was deployed to each school building, providing remote, face-to-face interpretation accessible to staff throughout the district. This technology gives educators immediate access to professional interpreters during parent-teacher conferences, enrollment processes, and emergency situations without having to locate equipment or wait for scheduled appointments.
For situations requiring in-person support, LanguageLine provides onsite interpreting services across the U.S. in 137 spoken languages and ASL. The district prioritized in-person interpretation when possible, while maintaining the flexibility of remote options for immediate needs. This dual approach ensures that whether a family needs a scheduled in-person interpreter for an IEP meeting or immediate phone support during registration, professional language access is always available.
LanguageLine worked with the district to establish clear operational protocols and cost structures. On-demand interpretation is billed by the minute and in-person interpreters by the hour, giving the district predictable pricing and budget control. The district developed guidance on when to use different interpretation modalities and staff training on best practices for working with interpreters effectively.
The Result
- Comprehensive language-access plan
- Reliable access to more than 240 languages
- Enhanced family engagement
- Improved compliance documentation
South Washington County Schools successfully developed and is finalizing a comprehensive language-access plan that documents the tools, processes, and procedures the district uses to serve multilingual families. The plan, which will be presented to the school board for approval and posted on the district website, ensures families can access information and meetings in languages they understand.
The district now has reliable, scalable language-access solutions that serve families speaking more than 85 languages. By using professional interpreters instead of relying on children, the district has elevated the quality of family communications. The on-demand iPad interpreter pilot provides immediate access to face-to-face interpretation in every school building, while onsite services are available when in-person support is preferred.
The comprehensive approach reduces delays in services and strengthens the district's ability to meet state and federal compliance requirements, including Minnesota Statute 123B.032 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The plan emphasizes that language access is not just about compliance but about ensuring equitable access to education and meaningful family engagement for all students, regardless of the language they speak at home.
What Our Client Said
"I've honestly never come across a language that LanguageLine did not have."
-Dr. Megan Hickey, Executive Director of Student Support Services
Let's Talk Solutions
Discover how LanguageLine can help your school district develop a comprehensive language-access plan that meets state and federal requirements while serving your multilingual community.
Call us at (800) 752-6096 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation: https://www.languageline.com/schedule-consultation
