SRC-MKV, S.B. 467 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 467 77R1789 BDH-DBy: Zaffirini Education 2/23/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE This legislation addresses the importance of "bi-literacy" in a rapidly growing international society by creating dual language immersion programs with the goal of children starting kindergarten to be literate in two languages by the end of the third grade and to maintain the second language in grades 4-12. S.B. 467 allows school districts to offer dual language immersion programs that include approximately 50 percent native English speakers and 50 percent foreign language speakers with at least half of the instruction given in English and half in the foreign language. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.005, Education Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows: (a) Makes a conforming change. (c) Authorizes a school district to adopt a dual language immersion program for students enrolled in elementary school grades. Requires an immersion program to include a class of students composed of approximately 50 percent native English speakers and 50 percent native speakers of one other language and instruction in both English and the other language, with at least half of the instruction in the other language. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.