By Sadler                                             H.B. No. 2880
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to programs for students of limited English proficiency.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
 1-5     amended by adding Section 29.065 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 29.065.  BASIC SKILLS PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS OF LIMITED
 1-7     ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. (a)  A school district may apply to the
 1-8     commissioner for fundng of special programs for students of limited
 1-9     English proficiency who are at risk of failing to progress to
1-10     age-appropriate grades or who are at risk of failing examinations
1-11     manadated under Chapter 39 of this Code.  A school district may,
1-12     with the consent of a student's parent or guardian, assign a
1-13     student to a program under this section.  A program under this
1-14     section may not exceed 210 instructional days.
1-15           (b)  A program under this section must emphasize the
1-16     acquisition of basic language skills in areas of the required
1-17     curriculum under Section 28.002.  A program under this section may
1-18     be provided by a school district or an entity contracting with a
1-19     school district to provide the program.
1-20           (c)  The commissioner shall award funds to districts in
1-21     accordance with a formula grant process developed by the
1-22     commissioner.  A grant may be made to a consortium of school
1-23     districts.  The criteria by which the commissioner awards a grant
 2-1     must include the proportion of students who are classified as
 2-2     limited English proficient under Sec. 29.056.  No district with
 2-3     less than a state average proportion may be awarded funds.  An
 2-4     approved program must include criteria that permit measurement of
 2-5     student progress, and the district shall:
 2-6                 (1)  annually evaluate the progress of students in the
 2-7     program; and
 2-8                 (2)  submit the results of the evaluation to the
 2-9     commissioner at the end of the school year.
2-10           (d)  The commissioner shall establish minimum levels of
2-11     student enrollment and standards of student progress required for
2-12     continued funding of a program under this section.  The
2-13     commissioner may eliminate funding for a program in a subsequent
2-14     school year if the program fails to achieve sufficient levels of
2-15     student progress.
2-16           (e)  The amount of a grant under this section must take into
2-17     account funds distributed to the school district under Chapter 42.
2-18           (f)  The commissioner may adopt rules for the administration
2-19     of programs under this section.
2-20           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.