Education Laws and Regulations

603 CMR 57.00

Standards for Interpretation and Translation Services in Schools

Section:

  • 57.01: Scope and Purpose
  • 57.02: Definitions
  • 57.03: Standards for the Qualifications of Interpreters
  • 57.04: Standards for the Qualifications of Translators
  • 57.05: Standards for the Provision of Interpretation and Translation Services
  • 57.06: General Requirements
  • View All Sections

Adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: June 23, 2026
Effective date of these regulations: September 1, 2027

57.02: Definitions

  • Advanced Education Interpreter. An individual who satisfies the requirements set out in 603 CMR 57.03 (2) and facilitates communication between school staff and parents and legal guardians with limited English proficiency on matters relating to special education and other specialized meetings such as meetings for safety plans, meetings for English Learner Education program placement, due process or student discipline hearings, meetings addressing bullying complaints, and meetings addressing the use of physical restraint or seclusion.

  • Board. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

  • Commissioner. The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

  • Department. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

  • Education Interpreter. An individual who satisfies the requirements set out in 603 CMR 57.03 (1) and facilitates communication in matters not requiring an Advanced Education Interpreter between school staff and parents and legal guardians with limited English proficiency.

  • Interpretation. The accurate conversion of spoken or signed language from one language to another language.

  • Parents and legal guardians with limited English proficiency. Parents and legal guardians of public school students who primarily communicate in a language other than English and have a limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English.

  • Public school student. A student who is enrolled in a Massachusetts public school, including a career technical education school, charter school, collaborative education program, recovery high school, virtual school, or the day school of a special education school approved under 603 CMR 28.09: Approval of Public or Private Day and Residential Special Education School Programs.

  • School Translator. An individual who facilitates written communication between school staff and parents and legal guardians with limited English proficiency and who satisfies the requirements set out in 603 CMR 57.04.

  • Translation. The accurate conversion of written text from one language into another language.

Regulatory Authority

M.G.L. c. 69, § 1B

Disclaimer:
For an official copy of these regulations, please contact the State House Bookstore, at 617-727-2834 or visit Massachusetts State Bookstore .

Last Updated: July 17, 2026

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