The Need for Translators

Left Powerless: Non-English–Speaking Parents Denied Vital Translation Services

Flouting federal laws, schools routinely fail to provide qualified interpreters. Districts say they lack the resources ‘no matter how hard we try.’

For months, Wendy Rodas felt disempowered and silenced whenever she tried to reach out to her daughter’s Missouri elementary school. 

The El Salvadorian mother of three, who primarily speaks Spanish, struggled to communicate with teachers, administrators and district leaders. She made repeated requests for the interpretation services that she — and all public school parents who don’t speak English fluently — are legally entitled to.

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