BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                          S.B. 78

79R833 PAM-D                                                                                                           By: Shapleigh

                                                                                                                                            Education

2/14/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2002-03, the first grade enrollments for the three largest school districts in the state -- the Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth independent school districts -- were each over 50 percent Hispanic.  Approximately 40 percent of each of these classes were classified as limited English proficient.  The data for these school districts represents a growing statewide trend that poses significant challenges to educators of children who must learn in a language other than that which is spoken primarily in the home.

Currently, Texas Education Code 28.0051, Education Code, sets out the requirements of dual language immersion programs.  As proposed, S.B. 78 establishes a two-way developmental bilingual education pilot program in Texas.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  (a)  Authorizes this Act to be cited as the "21st Century Texas Educational Competitiveness Act."

(b)  Sets forth legislative findings regarding bilingual education and sets forth the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, by adding Section 28.0052, as follows:

Sec. 28.0052.  TWO-WAY DEVELOPMENTAL BILINGUAL EDUCATION PILOT PROJECT.  (a)  Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to establish a pilot project in five school districts selected by the commissioner under which the agency examines two-way developmental bilingual education programs and the effect of those programs on a student's ability to graduate from high school.

(b)  Requires the commissioner to select school districts with a high percentage of students of limited English proficiency, as defined by Section 29.052 (Educational Programs).

(c)  Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to report to the legislature describing TEA's activities under the pilot project, the effect of the project on grade-level completion and high school graduation rates, and the recommendations arising from the project.  Requires TEA to submit interim and final reports by certain dates.

(d)  Provides that this section expires August 1, 2011.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.