Agenda Item
b. Translation and Interpretation Services (combined total not to exceed $1,200,000)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the purchase of professional translation and interpretation services from the following vendors in excess of $100,000.00 with a combined total not to exceed $1,200,000 for the following vendors:
Alta Language Services
Language Line Services
Real Time Translation
SeSo, Inc.
Translation Station, Inc.
Zab Translation Solutions
Why: Due to combined spending from all schools and centers serving parents and students whose primary home language is other than English (PHLOTEs), the total cost of translation and interpretation services may exceed $100,000.00 from one or more of the service providers.
Details: The DeKalb County School District, as a local educational agency (LEA) receiving federal grants, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants, has a legal obligation to maintain meaningful communication with parents and students who may not have English as their primary language. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and IDEA mandate that parental notices and communication must be in a language that the parents or guardians can understand. Services from approved agencies are included in the District’s agreement with the OCR to provide language support services to our linguistically diverse community. Additionally, interpretation services are required during Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
The continuous increase in our linguistically diverse student and parent population has resulted in a higher demand for translation and interpretation services. Communication with the parents and guardians of these students is crucial for their academic performance. The DeKalb County School District currently serves over 26,144 students whose primary home language is other than English (PHLOTEs). The significant number of languages and dialects (172) spoken by our linguistically diverse community requires the use of several sources to ensure effective communication with all students and parents. Interpretation and translation services to communicate with students and parents are necessary to ensure equity and access to all our services and programs.
According to DJE III(B)(4), multiple vendors are used based on professional ability to provide translation/interpretation services in the requested languages district-wide for all schools.
Financial impact: The financial impact to the general funds for school year 2023-2024 will not exceed the amount of $1,200,000.00.
Department of English Learners Charge Code:
100.2100 530000.07711.7130.9990.6015.035.0000 ($750,000.00)
Department of Exceptional Education Charge Code: 100.1000.530000.00011.7340.2021.8010.035.0000($400,000.00)
100.1000.530000.22711.7320.9990.8010.035.0000($50,000.00)
Contact: Ms. Stacy Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0731
Mrs. Michele Summerlin, Executive Director, Exceptional Education, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.2163
Dr. Evelyn G. Hall, Director, English Learners Program/Title III and DeKalb International Screening Center, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.6602
Effective: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Status: Reviewed by General Counsel
Quality Translation and Interpretation Services
SeSo, Inc’s interpreters are specifically trained to interpret in a variety of
settings in consecutive and simultaneous modes. All of our interpreters:
Must pass a language proficiency and interpreting skills test
Are subject to a thorough background check
Complete a Mandatory Reporter and HIPAA training
Must have at least two years of experience interpreting and translating
Attend a mandatory training that includes an overview of national code of
ethics and standards of practice for interpreters in education, healthcare
and legal settings
Are members of the National Association of Educational Translators and
Interpreters of Spoken Languages to support their ongoing professional
development
Foundational Training and Skill-Building Workshops for Educational
Translators and Spoken Language Interpreters in Education
Certificate courses for interpreters and translators offered in collaboration
with the University of Georgia (Professional Interpreter in Education,
Professional Interpreter in Special Education, Professional Translator in
Education). Customized online and in-person sessions for bilingual/multilingual
school-based personnel and independent interpreters and translators working
in early childhood and K-12 settings.
Cultural Humility and Multicultural/Multilingual Family Engagement Workshops
for Educators and School Leaders
Workshops designed to give Educators, Parent Instructional Coordinators,
Parent Liaisons, School Counselors and School Administrators, an overview of
evidence-based tools to collaborate effectively with linguistically diverse
families and foster family engagement through highly-interactive small group
activities.
Creating language and cultural bridges, one training at a time!
P.O. Box 944, Snellville, GA 30078
www.sesoincga.org sesoincga@gmail.com
Language Services Division
We are proud to offer quality Interpretation Services in the following languages:
Arabic, Burmese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Ewe, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Haitian-
Creole, Hindi, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Marshallese, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian,
Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
If the language needed is not listed, please contact us as we are continually adding
qualified interpreters/translators to our team.
Quality Assurance
SeSo, Inc’s interpreters are specifically trained to interpret in a variety of settings in consecutive and
simultaneous modes. All of our interpreters:
Must pass SeSo, Inc.’s language proficiency and interpreting skills test
Are subject to a thorough background check, and complete a Mandatory Reporter and HIPAA training
Must have at least two years of experience interpreting to be considered as a team member
Attend a mandatory training that includes an overview of national code of ethics and standards of
practice for interpreters in education, healthcare and legal settings
Must complete assessments to evaluate knowledge and skills related to the protocols of interpretation,
management of interpretation encounters, and dilemmas specific to confidentiality, accuracy,
completeness of information and impartiality
Attend continuing education workshops for skill-building and practice
Interpretation Fees:
o Phone Calls (Relay a short message to a client): $15 per 15 minutes increments for any language
o Video Remote/3-way Phone Conference/Face-to-Face Interpretation: Two-Hour minimum
(Mileage for in-person meetings is included in the fees below)
Weekday (7AM to 6 PM)
Additional $10/hr fee for after hours and weekends for all languages
Spanish $55/hr
Non-Spanish $65/hr
Cancellation Policy - We require at least 24 hours advance notice for cancellations, otherwise payment is
expected.
Creating language and cultural bridges, one training at a time™
www.sesoincga.org sesoincga@gmail.com
P.O. Box 944, Snellville, GA 30078
Translation Fees:
Spanish 0.25/Per word; $70.00 Minimum
Non-Spanish 0.35/Per word; $70.00 Minimum
*Timelines for the delivery of translations depend on several factors including the number of words, the
language level, the file format, and the area of specialization. One translator can translate an average of 2,000
words per day. Regardless of the size of the project, we always perform a quality check with a main translator and
a proofreader/editor to ensure that the language is consistent and the format mirrors the original English
document.
Our Clients Include:
Creating language and cultural bridges, one training at a time™
www.sesoincga.org sesoincga@gmail.com
P.O. Box 944, Snellville, GA 30078