Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Future funding needs for language access services
3:31:14
·
50 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about additional funding needs to ensure comprehensive language access services for families who speak languages other than English. DOE officials acknowledge the need for more resources and agree to provide detailed calculations.
- The school system serves families speaking over 180 different languages, presenting ongoing challenges.
- Current proactive measures in covered languages are limited, and additional support is needed for less common languages.
- DOE officials agree to share specific calculations on funding needs with the Council and the immigration committee.
Rita Joseph
3:31:14
Do you need additional funding to ensure that families who speak a language other than English at home are fully informed about their child's education?
3:31:20
If yes, how much?
Kleber Palma
3:31:22
Always the answer is yes.
3:31:25
So the thing is we're in a system where there's over 180 different languages spoken, and with so many different mechanisms to engage families, our proactiveness in our covered languages only takes us so far.
3:31:36
However, we do have supports in additional languages, but the system is so large.
3:31:40
You mentioned 40% of our families speaking a language other than English.
3:31:43
We do have some we can base some calculations on what we need based on our current needs and our deficits.
3:31:49
I'm happy to share that with you as well.
Rita Joseph
3:31:50
We would love that and I'm sure the immigration committee would love a briefing on that and to see how we can move forward, especially in these times, right?
3:31:57
Yes.
3:31:57
Chancellor Ramos, you wanted to add something?
3:31:59
So you pulled the mic.
3:32:00
You're good?
3:32:01
We're good?
3:32:03
Let's talk about