Translation Policy

Paris ISD is committed to ensuring that parents, guardians, and families of Emergent Bilingual (EB) students have meaningful access and equal opportunity to all critical school information. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 13166, and ESSA Title I, Part A regulations [Section 1112(e)(4); 1114(b)(4); 1116(e)(5); 1116(f)], the district will provide vital information in an understandable, uniform format and, to the extent practicable, in a language that parents and guardians can understand.

Paris ISD conducts a continuous, data-driven assessment of community language needs. The district will identify primary language preferences through:

• Mandatory TEA Home Language Surveys (19 TAC §89.1215(b)) completed at registration.
• Annual language preference surveys for written communication.
• Direct feedback and documented requests from educators, parents, and students.

Based on demographic data, Paris ISD has determined that Spanish is the primary language spoken by a significant percentage of the non-English speaking parent population. Accordingly, the district guarantees systemic written and oral translations in Spanish. For all other languages, translation and interpretation services will be provided dynamically upon request to the extent practicable.

Language assistance is provided free of charge to parents and guardians through a multi-tiered pipeline:

1. Qualified Personnel: Translation and oral interpretation services are provided by qualified bilingual staff members and fluent district interpreters.
2. Technology Integration: Supplementary language assistance is supported via the district website, the automated parent notification system, and digital applications (such as Smore).
3. Safety and Confidentiality Guardrail: In alignment with federal civil rights standards, Paris ISD explicitly prohibits the use of minor students, siblings, or untrained community volunteers to interpret official, confidential educational meetings or legal proceedings.

Oral interpretation in Spanish is available upon request for all crucial parent-school interactions. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Student Registration/Enrollment.
• Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD/IEP) committee meetings.
• Section 504 and intervention hearings.
• Disciplinary and attendance hearings.
• Parent-teacher conferences.

Requests for translation or interpretation services may be submitted by phone, email, or in person at any Paris ISD campus or district office.

• Response Timeline: Paris ISD will make every reasonable effort to respond to requests for translation or interpretation services within three (3) business days.
• Processing Time: The time required to complete a translation may vary depending on the length, complexity, and urgency of the document or communication.
• Prioritization: Urgent matters involving student health, safety, discipline, or educational services will be prioritized.
• Other Languages: Translation and interpretation services for languages other than Spanish will be provided upon request to the extent practicable.

District Contacts:

Yesica Munguia
Bilingual/ESL Coordinator
Phone: 903-737-7500
Email: yesica.munguia@parisisd.net

Lidia Pickerill
Parent & Family Engagement Coordinator
Phone: 903-737-7500
Email: lidia.pickerill@parisisd.net

The following core Title I materials and campus communications must be made available in written form in Spanish:

• District and Campus Improvement Plans (DIP / CIP): Available in full written Spanish format and accessible upon request via an interpreter or Google translation tools for other languages.
• District and Campus Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Policies: Published annually in written Spanish format (Paris ISD Parent and Family Engagement Policy) and accessible upon request via an interpreter or Google translation tools for other languages.
• School-Parent Compacts: Translated in full written form in Spanish, and accessible upon request via an interpreter or Google translation tools for other languages.
• Program and Activity Announcements: Communications related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities will be translated in writing in Spanish to the extent practicable, and accessible upon request via an interpreter or Google translation tools for other languages.

On an ongoing and annual basis, Paris ISD will reevaluate local demographics, student enrollment changes, and service requests to verify if additional language groups have met the threshold requiring formal systemic written translations. The district will regularly audit the accuracy and overall efficacy of its delivery methods to guarantee continuous improvement and compliance.