Language Access, Translation & Interpretation: Guidance for Schools and Departments

Cambridge Public Schools is deeply committed to ensuring our families have access to timely information about their child’s education in their preferred language. The current priority languages for the district are Spanish, Haitian Creole, Amharic, Arabic, and Bengali. Schools are also encouraged to identify priority languages for their school community.

CPS has a variety of methods for translation and interpretation services. We are continuously evaluating options and quality of translations.
  • ParentSquare
    Our updated communications platform, Parentsquare, which launched in August 2022, auto-translates content in more than 100 languages, including the district’s priority languages. It has greatly enhanced our ability to share information quickly and equitably. While no auto-translation service is perfect, ParentSquare uses a more sophisticated version of Google Translate and we are continually seeking ways to improve.
  • State-Contracted Vendors
    Each year, we execute contracts that support translation and interpretation services. Contracts are managed by the Office of Communications.
  • Interpretation by CPS Bilingual Liaisons
    We currently have three full-time bilingual family liaisons for Amharic, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. These individuals may provide interpretation for in-person/remote meetings and events, over the phone, IEP meetings, and other confidential or legal meetings.
  • City of Cambridge Community Engagement Team (CET)
    The City’s Community Engagement Team serves diverse families by providing a group of highly trained outreach workers who are personally connected to many of the largest cultural groups in our city. Most of the team members are current CPS parents or former parents.

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