78R9486 KMP-D

By:  Wise                                                         H.R. No. 795



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, In February 2003, the Texas Education Agency awarded 
a rare perfect score to the bilingual education program taught in 
the Mercedes School District, and this achievement provides a 
fitting opportunity to highlight this noteworthy district and its 
outstanding program of dual language instruction; and
	WHEREAS, Unlike most bilingual education programs in the 
United States, which focus on teaching English as a second 
language, the Mercedes school district program emphasizes the 
development of language skills in both English and Spanish for all 
students, thereby helping students to pursue higher-level work in 
either language and, ultimately, to become fluent readers and 
writers of both English and Spanish; led by director Lisa Serna, the 
Mercedes program has attracted strong community support, and its 
success is evident in the fact that 16 of its 18 kindergarten 
classes are taught using the dual-language method; and
	WHEREAS, The Lone Star State has been blessed with a richly 
diverse population, and its continued ability to compete in an 
increasingly global economy will only be strengthened through 
exemplary educational programs such as that taught in the Mercedes 
school district; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate the students, teachers, and 
administrators of the Mercedes school district for earning a 
perfect score in the area of bilingual education from the Texas 
Education Agency; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for prominent display in the Mercedes school district as 
an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.