Supporting LEP Students with Interpreting Services

Communication is the starting line for learning. When students (or their families) can’t fully understand what’s being said, grades slip, engagement falls, and trust erodes. More than 5.3 million English learners now attend U.S. public schools—about 1 in 10 K-12 students—so language barriers are no longer the exception; they’re a daily reality.

We recently hosted a webinar on The State of Interpretation in Education to cover today’s latest trends in providing language access in schools. This post explains where interpreters fit in school settings, why roles differ for sign language vs. spoken language, and how districts can use new technology to serve everyone well.

What is an LEP Student?

A Limited English Proficient (LEP) student is a K-12 learner in a U.S. school whose first language is not English and whose current level of English is not yet strong enough to participate fully and independently in classrooms taught in English. 

However, not all Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (D/HOH) individuals are automatically classified as LEP. The U.S. Department of Education clarifies that an individual cannot be considered LEP solely because they rely on ASL due to deafness or hearing impairment. The key factor is whether their native language is a language other than English and whether this impacts their English proficiency.

Where Interpreters Provide Support in K-12 Education

Why the split?

• ASL educational interpreters are legally mandated under IDEA and Section 504 because D/HOH students’ disability status requires equal access accommodations. Classroom interpreters are specifically legislated as necessary services in students’ legally binding IEPs or 504 Plans.

• Spoken-language interpreters primarily serve family engagement needs. While Title VI and EEOA require schools to address language barriers for LEP students, they don’t mandate in-class interpreters. Schools typically fulfill these requirements through ESL programs and interpreters for parent communications.

ASL Educational Interpreters

For D/HOH students, the law is clear in many States, like Texas: an ASL educational interpreter is a required accessibility partner, not optional help. These interpreters:

• Work full-time alongside the student, signing every spoken or signed message in real time.

• Coordinate with teachers on seating, pacing, and visual aids for clear sight lines.

• Support extracurriculars, field trips, and school events so the student never misses out.

When schools meet these obligations, D/HOH students can participate in class discussions, group projects, and social activities on an equal footing with peers.

Spoken-Language Interpreters

Although LEP students usually receive instruction in English with ESL support, their families still need professional interpreters to engage in important decisions. Qualified spoken-language interpreters help by:

• Parent-teacher conferences – enabling detailed Q&A, goal-setting, and shared understanding of progress.

• IEP meetings – ensuring guardians give informed consent and can advocate for their child’s services.

• Phone calls & office visits – clarifying health concerns, sudden schedule changes, or disciplinary matters.

• School-wide events & crisis alerts – delivering real-time interpretation so every family gets the same information at the same moment.

Providing these services satisfies Title VI, ESSA, and many state regulations that require meaningful communication in families’ native languages.

Getting LEP Parents Involved

Parents and guardians play a big role in a child’s success at school, but language barriers can make staying involved a challenge. In parent-teacher conferences, interpretation lets parents ask detailed questions, give consent, and advocate for their child. 

Our recent blog covers how to communicate with parents who don’t speak English during parent-teacher conferences.

Schools can help families stay involved, ask questions, and feel confident about their child’s education by making it easier to access interpreters when and where they’re needed.

The Growing Demand and New Opportunities

• Some districts juggle 100 + languages. Leaning on untrained bilingual staff or a sibling is unreliable and often non-compliant.

• AI transcription and subtitle tools can project real-time translated captions, helping LEP students follow lectures while reserving certified interpreters for high-stakes conversations.

• Scalable, on-demand interpreting lets districts cover many languages without hiring full-time staff for each one.

Together, these forces are pushing schools to adopt blended solutions: professional interpreters for accuracy-critical moments and AI-assisted tools for everyday comprehension.

Why Professional Training Matters

The Boostlingo Hub screens interpreters for education expertise, spoken and ASL, so districts get specialists who know how to interpret for families and their children.

Education Without Barriers

Professional interpreters play a big role in promoting clear communication and inclusive learning environments. They help families participate in their child’s education and support D/HOH students with consistent, accessible communication. 

Interpreters are very good for helping families from diverse backgrounds understand their children’s progress and treatment plans. This improves educational outcomes but also builds trust between families and staff. 

By integrating professional interpreters into the school community, educators can focus on teaching while ensuring that language is never a barrier to learning or family involvement. 

Reach us today for more information.