Approve Renewal Contractual Agreement with Professional Interpreting Consultants for Sign Language Interpreting Services for Exceptional Student Education, 2008/2009 (Exceptional Student Education)

We request approval of the Renewal Contractual Agreement with Professional Interpreting Consultants for Sign Language Interpreting Services for Exceptional Student Education to provide interpreter services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Interpreter services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students are required by federal laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1974, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Professional Interpreting Consultants have provided services to the school district for 11 years.

Sign language interpreter services are utilized as needed by approximately 220 deaf and hard-of-hearing students to access their regular education classes. Interpreter services are provided for short-term assignments and substitutes at school sites, and services are also provided to deaf and hard-of-hearing parents whose hearing children attend our schools and require a sign language interpreter. These interpreter services to parents provide access to parent-teacher conferences, assemblies, and performances in which their children participate.

Goal 5 -The district will close the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

Funds are included in the divisional budget for Curriculum and Instruction through Exceptional Student Education Project 5323. Funds are utilized as needed throughout the school year to provide interpreter services at a rate of $60 per hour.