March 8, 2021
AMHERST, Mass. – The Translation Center at UMass Amherst has launched its second workshop series in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). During this seven-week, remote series, over 60 public school employees from across the commonwealth participate in training related to translating school documents and communications and providing interpretation services.
In May 2020, DESE began its partnership with the Translation Center to fund interpreting and translation services to school districts in Massachusetts. The center’s first DESE-sponsored workshop series took place in the fall and also had more than 60 participants.
Participating school employees range from administrators in leadership roles to teachers to administrative assistants. A valuable form of professional development, participants who successfully complete the workshop series receive a certificate and are better equipped to provide important services to non-English speaking parents and caregivers in their districts.