81R9773 CAS-F

By: Farrar H.B. No. 4091

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an intensive reading improvement program for public school students of limited English proficiency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.069 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.069. INTENSIVE READING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. (a) A school district shall provide to students of limited English proficiency, in accordance with this section, a reading improvement program that:

(1) is designed to:

(A) prevent students from having long-term reading difficulties; and

(B) reduce the risk of students dropping out of school;

(2) provides individualized, intensive, and accelerated instruction; and

(3) is aligned with the required curriculum under Section 28.002.

(b) Each district program must include:

(1) a research-based curriculum designed to guide students toward reading proficiency;

(2) assessments that are approved by the agency and designed to measure growth in a student's vocabulary and reading comprehension;

(3) computer-based instruction that makes available additional reading practice for students participating in the program;

(4) a comprehensive system of support for teachers that includes in-person training, access to online professional development, and ongoing consultation throughout the school year; and

(5) teacher training materials and other teacher training resources, including resource guides, to assist teachers in enabling students of limited English proficiency to meet state performance expectations, including performance expectations on assessment instruments administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39.

(c) The results of assessments required under Subsection (b)(2) must be accessible through an Internet data management system:

(1) to appropriate teachers and administrators; and

(2) in English and Spanish, to the parent of a student participating in the program.

(d) A school district shall begin providing instruction under the program to a student of limited English proficiency before the student enters the seventh grade.

(e) A school district shall begin providing instruction under the program to students not later than September 30 of each school year.

(f) Not later than January 31 and June 1 of each school year, a school district shall provide to the agency a written report on the progress in reading of students participating in the district's program.

SECTION 2. Section 39.024(e), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(e) The commissioner shall retain a portion of the total amount of funds allotted under Section 42.152(a) that the commissioner considers appropriate to finance activities under Subsection [Subsections] (c) and may retain a portion for activities under Section 29.069 [Subsection (d)] and for other intensive programs of instruction for students of limited English proficiency offered by school districts and shall reduce each district's allotment proportionately.

SECTION 3. Section 39.024(d), Education Code, is repealed.

SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.