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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to participation by certain students in bilingual and |
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special language programs provided by school districts. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 29.052(1), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(1) "Student of limited English proficiency" means a |
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student: |
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(A) whose primary language is other than English |
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and whose English language skills are such that the student has |
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difficulty performing ordinary classwork in English; or |
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(B) whose primary language is English, but whose |
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English language skills do not reflect a proficiency in standard |
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usage of the English language. |
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SECTION 2. Section 29.053, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows: |
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(c-1) Students described by Section 29.052(1)(B) are not |
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included in determining whether a district is required to offer a |
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bilingual or special language program. If a district offers a |
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bilingual or special language program, the district shall permit |
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students described by Section 29.052(1)(B) to participate in the |
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program and shall make reasonable modifications to the program as |
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necessary to reflect the inclusion of those students. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |