By: Truan S.B. No. 824 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to dual literacy programs in public schools. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Section 28.005, Education Code, is amended by 1-5 amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as 1-6 follows: 1-7 (a) Except as provided by this section, English shall be the 1-8 basic language of instruction in public schools. 1-9 (c) A school district may adopt a dual literacy program for 1-10 students as provided by Section 28.0051. 1-11 SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is 1-12 amended by adding Section 28.0051 to read as follows: 1-13 Sec. 28.0051. DUAL LITERACY PROGRAM. (a) A dual literacy 1-14 program of instruction should be designed to produce students with 1-15 a demonstrated mastery, in both English and Spanish, of the 1-16 required curriculum under Section 28.002(a). 1-17 (b) The commissioner by rule shall adopt: 1-18 (1) minimum requirements for a dual literacy program 1-19 implemented by a school district; 1-20 (2) standards for evaluating: 1-21 (A) the success of a dual literacy program; and 1-22 (B) the performance of schools that implement a 1-23 dual literacy program; and 1-24 (3) standards for recognizing: 1-25 (A) schools that offer an exceptional dual 2-1 literacy program; and 2-2 (B) students who successfully complete a dual 2-3 literacy program. 2-4 (c) A school district may implement a dual literacy program 2-5 in a manner and at grade levels consistent with rules adopted by 2-6 the commissioner under this section. 2-7 SECTION 3. The rules adopted by the commissioner of 2-8 education under Section 28.0051, Education Code, as added by this 2-9 Act, must first address the implementation of dual literacy 2-10 programs in prekindergarten through third grade classes before 2-11 addressing dual literacy programs in grade levels 4 through 12. 2-12 SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 2-13 school year. 2-14 SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 2-15 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 2-16 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this 2-17 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 2-18 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.