Ethics when Interpreting for Schools

Course description: This course provides school interpreters and bilingual staff who interpret with practical, school-based guidance on ethical decision-making. Learners will apply eight core tenets—Confidentiality, Accuracy, Impartiality, Professionalism, Professional Development, Role Boundaries, Solidarity, and Respect—drawn from Judy Cortes’ Introduction to Educational Interpreting and Translation, and aligned with our organization’s Ethics/Code of Conduct document.

Learning outcomes

• Explain the eight ethical tenets for educational interpreting and why they matter in school settings.
• Apply confidentiality expectations to common K–12 scenarios, including IEP/504 meetings, discipline, enrollment, and family engagement events.
• Use accuracy practices (message completeness, tone/register, clarification, and correction) under time pressure.
• Maintain impartiality and manage conflicts of interest, including dual-role challenges and prior relationships.
• Demonstrate professional conduct (punctuality, preparation, demeanor) and handle disruptions or inappropriate requests.
• Identify role-boundary risks (advice-giving, advocacy, side conversations) and use phrases to re-establish the interpreter role.
• Describe practical professional development habits (terminology building, feedback loops, reflective practice) for school contexts.
• Practice respect and solidarity in ways that support equitable communication while staying within role boundaries.