For important school meetings, such as parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings for special education, disciplinary meetings, and hearings, the school should provide you with an interpreter, if possible. You should ask that a meeting be delayed so that the school gets an interpreter for you. If you want to meet with your child's teacher or attend a school event, but need an interpreter, try to contact the teacher or instructional assistant in your child's school who speaks your language. If you do not know anyone at the school who speaks your language, ask a friend or relative who speaks English to call the school for you to ask for an interpreter. Try to let the school know you need an interpreter far before the meeting.
Special education is for children with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
The school must provide these services if your child needs them, and must give language help to your child so that she can receive special education. Putting children in special education just because they do not speak English fluently or they have a different culture is wrong. If your child is placed in a special education program, but you do not think your child is disabled, contact one of the legal resources at the end of this brochure. Even if your child is not disabled, your child may be able to get extra help in reading and math. Schools get extra money from the federal government to provide programs to students who are from poor families, or who are not performing well in school.