By:  Zaffirini, et al.                                 S.B. No. 467
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to dual language immersion programs in certain public
 1-3     schools.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 28.005, Education Code, is amended by
 1-6     amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
 1-7     follows:
 1-8           (a)  Except as provided by this section, English shall be the
 1-9     basic language of instruction in public schools.
1-10           (c)  A school district may adopt a dual language immersion
1-11     program for students enrolled in elementary school grades.  An
1-12     immersion program should include:
1-13                 (1)  a class of students composed of approximately 50
1-14     percent native English speakers and 50 percent native speakers of
1-15     one other language; and
1-16                 (2)  instruction in both English and the other
1-17     language, with at least half of the instruction in the other
1-18     language.
1-19           SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
1-20     school year.
1-21           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-22     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-23     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-24     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-25     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.