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.