Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
LEP persons are individuals who are unable to communicate effectively in English either verbally, in writing, or both, because their primary language is not English and they have not developed fluency in the English language. A person with LEP may have difficulty in one or more of four domains of language: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Primary Language
The primary language spoken by a student's family, or the predominant language spoken in the student's home. Families may have more than one primary language and/or dialect.
Language Services
A broad spectrum of services used or required to facilitate communication and understanding between speakers of different languages, and typically includes interpretation and translation services.
Interpretation
The act of contemporaneous communication between a speaker of English and a speaker of another language wherein the words of one person are communicated to others orally in a different language. This also includes interpretation through Sign Language.
Translation
Means the written communication between a speaker of English and a speaker of another language wherein the written words of one person are communicated to others in writing in a different language.
Parent/Guardian Identification
The process by which Arlington Public Schools identifies LEP families is through the Home Language Survey that is a part of the annual registration process. The Multilingual Services Department monitors student registrations and provides a monthly enrollment report to schools.