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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The face of Texas is rapidly changing, and |
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demographic trends indicate that Hispanics will likely make up a |
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majority of the population within the next decade; as a result, the |
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state is in great need of more certified bilingual teachers, and a |
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program at the University of North Texas is wisely addressing that |
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need; and |
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WHEREAS, In collaboration with the Texas Higher Education |
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Coordinating Board, UNT is offering the Roberto R. Alonzo |
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Bilingual/ESL Education Scholars Program to provide tuition |
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assistance and loan forgiveness as incentives for students to |
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pursue certification programs in bilingual or ESL education; |
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covering tuition, fees, and a small book allowance, the |
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scholarships are available for up to 25 students and provide a total |
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of $300,000 in funding to junior and senior education students at |
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UNT; and |
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WHEREAS, Students enrolled in this program must maintain at |
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least a 2.75 grade point average, meet financial aid requirements, |
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dedicate the majority of their classes to early childhood to |
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fourth-grade level bilingual or ESL courses, as well as agree to |
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teach full-time as a certified teacher in early childhood through |
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fourth-grade bilingual or ESL classes at a public school in Texas |
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for five years; and |
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WHEREAS, Equipping future teachers with fluency in the |
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Spanish language that will facilitate the delivery of content in |
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the classroom as well as encouraging respect and appreciation of |
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linguistic and cultural differences are important priorities of the |
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UNT program, and student participants may not only take pride in the |
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fact that they will be in high demand on graduation but also that |
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they are providing a service that is vital to the future of our |
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state by attending to the needs of the growing population of |
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Spanish-speaking schoolchildren; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor participants in the University of North |
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Texas Roberto R. Alonzo Bilingual/ESL Education Scholars Program |
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for 2007 and commend them for their commitment and dedication to the |
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children of Texas. |