SRC-MWN C.S.S.B. 824 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 824 77R15448 ESH-DBy: Truan Education 5/8/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE As the population of Texas becomes increasingly bilingual, there is a growing need for public schools to produce graduates who are bi-literate as distinct from simply bilingual. As proposed, C.S.S.B. 824 makes dual literacy programs available from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 2 (Section 28.0051, Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.005, Education Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d), to require English, except as provided by this section, to be the basic language of instruction in public schools. Authorizes a school district to adopt a dual literacy program for students as provided by Section 28.0051. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 28(A), Education Code, by adding Section 28.0051, as follows: Sec. 28.0051. DUAL LITERACY PROGRAM. Provides that a dual literacy program of instruction should be designed to produce students with a demonstrated mastery, in both English and Spanish, of the required curriculum under Section 28.002(a). Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) by rule to adopt certain provisions. Authorizes a school district to implement a dual literacy program in a manner and at grade levels consistent with rules adopted by the commissioner under this section. SECTION 3. Requires the rules adopted by the commissioner of education under Section 28.0051, Education Code, as added by this Act, to first address the implementation of dual literacy programs in prekindergarten through third grade classes before addressing dual literacy programs in grade levels 4 through 12. SECTION 4. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Deletes As Filed S.B. 824 SECTION 1. Renumbers SECTIONS 2-6 as SECTIONS 1-5. SECTION 3. Amends proposed language by deleting reference to State Board for Educator Certification. Makes conforming changes.