SRC-CDH S.B. 1034 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1034
By: Barrientos
Education
4-14-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, public elementary schools in Texas do not offer foreign
language courses other than bilingual education programs for students who
speak English as a second language.  However, academic studies have shown
that children who have studied a foreign language in elementary school
achieve higher scores on standardized tests in reading, language arts, and
mathematics than those who have not.  Studies also show that language
acquisition skills are sharpest at an early age.  This legislation directs
the commissioner of education to conduct a feasibility study regarding the
cost of providing students in kindergarten through grade 12 with access to
foreign language instruction, in order to better prepare students for the
demands of a global economy and to improve academic performance.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1034 directs the commissioner of education to conduct a
feasibility study regarding the cost of providing students in kindergarten
through grade 12 with access to foreign language instruction. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.002, Education Code, by adding Subsection
(k), to require the commissioner of education (commissioner) to study and
prepare a report on the feasibility of requiring that, beginning with the
2005-2006 school year, funding be provided so that one or more courses to
learn a language other than English is offered to each student in
kindergarten through grade 12.  Requires the commissioner to file with the
75th Legislature, during the regular session, a preliminary report that
includes an assessment of the approximate annual cost of implementing the
requirement and an explanation of the manner in which further study of the
feasibility of the requirement will be done.  Requires the commissioner,
not later than December 1, 1998, to file with the legislature a final
report on the feasibility of the requirement that includes an assessment
of the approximate annual cost of implementing the requirement.  Provides
that this subsection expires January 1, 1999. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.