Increased access to the Internet has fundamentally changed the way individuals, businesses and governments interrelate. Unfortunately public education, as has historically been the case, remains behind the curve of new social innovations. Here in Tacoma, our public schools have jumped at many opportunities to incorporate the Internet and change the way the district communicates with its students, parents and the communities which they serve. Yet still, many of Tacoma's populations that could benefit from these tools are left to the wayside.

The transitional bilingual and non-English speaking populations of Tacoma Public Schools are specifically marginalized. These populations represent roughly four percent of the student body and a diversity of more than 40 different languages. While these figures seem small as an aggregate total, they do not reflect students enrolled in the general population with bilingual or non-English speaking parents. Although Internet access for this population is increasing at a rapid rate, vital resources intended to connect parents with their children's schools continue to be published solely in English.

A primary example of under translation is the annually published Parent and Student Resource Handbook which outlines many of the critical rights for students, lines of communication, available programs, and general expectations for participation in Tacoma Public Schools.

Although this 61 page document does contain a tag in six different languages declaring that, "Attached is an important document from your child's school. Please have this document translated for you. Thank you." it assumes these parents will have reliable access to translation or that their child will be capable of interpreting it on their behalf.

In most instances however, adequate translators are not available and the inequitable distribution of resources persist.

Other examples of English only documentation include school disciplinary policies, calendars of events, emergency contact guidelines and, perhaps most importantly, grading policies. This burden is being left to the bilingual and non-English speaking parents and is yet another barrier preventing access to a quality, success bound education for many of our students who are most in need.

Fundamentally, under translation is an issue of equity for our students with parents whose desire to be involved is limited by language barriers. The solution is simple: provide the translations and make it easily accessible online. The internet is in the process of reforming schools all on its own; we should be using it as a tool to make our schools inclusive spaces that foster success and support for all.

Aaron T. Sherman is a M.Ed. in Education Policy candidate at the University of Washington specializing in issues of equity and student development.