Public Comment: Translation and Interpretation Regulations

DESE has proposed regulations with new standards for individuals who provide translation and interpretation services in Massachusetts public schools.

As part of the Protect Education Equity Act language that was passed in 2025 and outlined in the BESE February 18, 2026 memo on the proposed amendments, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education proposed regulations that establish standards for individuals who provide translation of written documents and interpretation of spoken language in school settings.

Comments are due April 24, 2026 at 5:00pm

Submit Your Comments:

• Public Survey: Public Comment about Proposed Regulations on Standards for Interpretation and Translation Services in Schools, 603 CMR 57.00 
• Email: BESERegulationComments@mass.gov
• Mail: Regulations Public Comment, c/o Commissioner’s Office, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149.

The qualification requirements are outlined in the regulations. However, it is not clear exactly how the requirements will be documented and verified by employers.

Is this new? Sort of. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does have information and resources on the Interpreters in the Education Setting website. DESE does have a self-paced Language Ambassador Training course, Guidance for the Provision of Interpreters in Trained Settings (download) and lists of approved vendors and individuals who are trained interpreters.

The proposed regulations will create three new levels for Language Access Services in public schools.

As proposed, each will require the candidate to demonstrate proficiency in English and in another language, complete a course and, for School Translators, pass an additional assessment on translation services in educational settings. The draft regulations do not have specific testing requirements or training courses – just a placeholder for future “department approved.”

The proposed regs do address machine translation of written documents – but only when they have been reviewed by a qualified School Translator before being shared. There is no mention of restrictions or permissions for live translation services in oral communications.

Take a look at our chart of the proposed service providers and the proposed requirements for qualifications. The full text of the proposed regulations is also linked below.

See something that should be added or changed? Don’t forget to submit your thoughts via the public comment process.

General Education Interpreter	Advanced Interpreter	School Translator
Facilitates communication on general education matters between school staff and parents and legal guardians with limited English proficiency	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.	Facilities written communication between school staff and parents and legal guardians with limited English proficiency
(a) a training course approved by the Department regarding the provision of interpretation services in an educational setting, or (b) other measure approved by the Department. Must include: Information relating to knowledge of specialized terms and concepts used in schools, the role of an interpreter in school settings, ethics and the need to maintain confidentiality. Must demonstrate proficiency in English and another language, as determined by the Department.	(a) a training course approved by the Department for Advanced Interpreters regarding the provision of interpretation services in a specialized educational setting, or (b) other measure approved by the Department. Must include: -Information relating to knowledge of specialized terms and concepts used in schools and specialized terms and concepts related to special education, safety plans, English Learner Education plans, discipline, bullying, and physical restraint or seclusion. -information on the role of an interpreter in school settings, ethics and the need to maintain confidentiality. Must demonstrate proficiency in English and another language, as determined by the Department	(a) Demonstrate written proficiency in English and at least one other language, including knowledge of specialized terms and concepts used in schools, through a formal assessment approved by the Department. b. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics of translation in an educational setting, and the need to maintain confidentiality through successful completion of a training course or other measure approved by the Department. c. Successfully complete an assessment regarding the provision of translation services in an educational setting, or other measure approved by the Department. Must include: Information relating to knowledge of specialized terms and concepts used in schools, the role of a translator in school settings, ethics and the need to maintain confidentiality