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.