Resources, Standards, and Language Group Data

This list of web references provides information about translation guidelines, requirements for document translation, and other translation issues. This list was created by suggestions from local educational agency document translators. Additions or comments about these references can be sent to cmd@cde.ca.gov.

Translation Requirements

• California Education Code Section 48985(a) requirement to notify parents in languages other than English
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act requirements for parental notification
  • Title I, Part A
  • Title III

CDE Translation Glossary in Spanish

To ensure that key terms and titles are translated consistently, translators often refer to a translation glossary. The California Department of Education (CDE) makes available an English-Spanish glossary, which is hosted on the CDE website by the English Learner Support Division. Local educational agencies are free to refer to the glossary, as they wish:

• English-Spanish Glossary for Educational Settings

Language Data for Districts and Schools

Prepared by the CDE's Data Reporting Office, these data are a calculation based on information provided by districts to the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) during the Fall 1 data collection and reflecting the status of students on Information Day, the first Wednesday in October. The reports list by language group the number of students speaking a language other than English that constitute15 percent or more of a school's enrollment and for which translations of parental notifications are needed, pursuant to Education Code Section 48985.

• 2023-24 Language Data for Districts and Schools by Language Group
• How to Use The Data Reports

Permission Forms

• Sample Videotaping Agreement and Release Form (English) (DOC)
• Sample Videotaping Agreement and Release From (English) (PDF)
• Available Translations of Sample Videotaping Agreement and Release Form
• Sample Video Release Form (English) (DOC)
• Sample Video Release Form (English) (PDF)
• Available Translations of Sample Video Release Form

Translation of Foreign Transcripts

The California Department of Education neither translates nor evaluates transcripts. Persons interested in having a transcript translated may contact the Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES). The ERES website answers frequently asked questions about transcript evaluation and translation services.

Translation Resources and Guidelines

• Quality Indicators for Translation and Interpretation in Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve Educational Settings (PDF)
  Districts and county offices find this publication to be a helpful resource whenever they plan written and oral communications for a diverse general public. The booklet is especially valuable for educators, parents, and other community members who intend to serve as interpreters and translators, and for staff members who write contracts for language services. Although hard copies of the booklet are currently out of print, this PDF version allows easy access and reference. Questions regarding the publication should be directed to the CDE Language Policy and Leadership Office 916-319-0845.
• English to Spanish Glossary, Los Angeles Unified School District, Translations Unit . Use the Glossary link to access the online glossary.
• Translation, Getting it Right, A guide to buying translations American Translators Association

Translated California Content Standards

In 1997 and 1998 the California State Board of Education (SBE) adopted academic content standards for California public schools in the areas of English-Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and History-Social Science. The 1998 standards for History-Social Science (PDF) remain current, as does the CMD’s Spanish translation: California History-Social Science Content Standards (Spanish) (DOC).

Beginning in 2010, the SBE replaced academic content standards for English-Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science with the California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Science, Science, and Technical Subjects (PDF), the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (PDF), and the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools.

• Spanish Language Version: California Common Core State Standards in Spanish Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
• Spanish Language Version: California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
• Parent Handbook for the California Common Core Standards