SRC-MKV C.S.S.B. 467 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 467
77R1789 BDH-DBy: Zaffirini
Education
2/28/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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. C.S.S.B. 467 allows school districts to offer dual language
immersion programs that should 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.  Provides that an
immersion program should 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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from original in Subsection (c) by changing the word "must" to
"should" relating to class composition in a dual language immersion
program.