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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Fluency in the English language is critical to |
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academic achievement in Texas schools; and |
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WHEREAS, In recent years, the Lone Star State has seen a |
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dramatic increase in the number of children whose native language |
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is not English, including many who were born in the United States, |
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and this population will continue to grow; and |
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WHEREAS, Children who are not fluent in English deserve the |
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opportunity to become productive, successful members of our |
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society, yet they face a significant barrier to academic progress; |
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it is imperative that they acquire the necessary language skills in |
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order to participate in a meaningful way in the educational |
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setting, in the workplace, and in daily life; accordingly, the |
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federal government requires that measures be implemented on the |
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state level to close the educational achievement gap for non-native |
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English speakers; and |
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WHEREAS, It is the duty of every legislator to ensure that |
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Texas educational policy fosters academic achievement, and English |
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fluency is essential to the success of the millions of children who |
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will one day enter the workforce and contribute to the continued |
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growth of our economy; and |
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WHEREAS, The State of Texas takes tremendous pride in leading |
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the way in business and innovation, and it is uniquely positioned to |
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set a national standard of excellence in the education of students |
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for whom English is not the first language; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby direct the Texas Education Agency to deploy |
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every necessary resource and implement the most modern and |
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innovative strategies in order to bridge the academic achievement |
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gap between native and non-native English speakers in Texas |
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schools; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the chief clerk forward an official copy of |
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this resolution to the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency. |