By Truan S.B. No. 824 77R5811 BDH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to dual literacy programs and teacher certification in 1-3 public schools. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 21.0482 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 21.0482. DUAL LITERACY TEACHER CERTIFICATION. To ensure 1-8 that there are teachers with special training to work with students 1-9 in dual literacy programs of instruction under Section 28.0051, the 1-10 board shall establish a dual literacy teacher certificate. 1-11 SECTION 2. Section 28.005, Education Code, is amended by 1-12 amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as 1-13 follows: 1-14 (a) Except as provided by this section, English shall be the 1-15 basic language of instruction in public schools. 1-16 (c) A school district may adopt a dual literacy program for 1-17 students as provided by Section 28.0051. 1-18 SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is 1-19 amended by adding Section 28.0051 to read as follows: 1-20 Sec. 28.0051. DUAL LITERACY PROGRAM. (a) A dual literacy 1-21 program of instruction should be designed to produce students with 1-22 a demonstrated mastery, in both English and Spanish, of the 1-23 required curriculum under Section 28.002(a). 1-24 (b) The commissioner by rule shall adopt: 2-1 (1) minimum requirements for a dual literacy program 2-2 implemented by a school district; 2-3 (2) standards for evaluating: 2-4 (A) the success of a dual literacy program; and 2-5 (B) the performance of schools that implement a 2-6 dual literacy program; and 2-7 (3) standards for recognizing: 2-8 (A) schools that offer an exceptional dual 2-9 literacy program; and 2-10 (B) students who successfully complete a dual 2-11 literacy program. 2-12 (c) A school district may implement a dual literacy program 2-13 in a manner and at grade levels consistent with rules adopted by 2-14 the commissioner under this section. 2-15 SECTION 4. The rules proposed by the State Board for Educator 2-16 Certification to implement Section 21.0482, Education Code, as 2-17 added by this Act, and the rules adopted by the commissioner of 2-18 education under Section 28.0051, Education Code, as added by this 2-19 Act, must first address the certification of dual literacy teachers 2-20 and the implementation of dual literacy programs in 2-21 pre-kindergarten through third grade classes before addressing 2-22 teacher certification and dual literacy programs in grade levels 4 2-23 through 12. 2-24 SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 2-25 school year. 2-26 SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 2-27 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 3-1 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this 3-2 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 3-3 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.