BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 451
86R8829 KJE-F	By: Powell
	Education
	4/18/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Education Code states a district's bilingual education allocation may be used only for program and student evaluation, instructional materials and equipment, staff development, supplemental staff expenses, salary supplements for teachers, and other supplies required for quality instruction and smaller class size.  S.B. 451 would allow school districts the flexibility to use the bilingual education allotment to pay the entire salary of a bilingual education teacher.

School districts statewide face the daunting task of finding bilingual education-certified teachers for their programs. The Texas Education Agency consistently identifies bilingual education on the annual list of teacher shortages. Because there is a limited pool of bilingual education teachers, S.B. 451 will expand the list of allowable expenditures and allow independent school districts to recruit and retain these professionals with this additional flexibility.

Support: TASBO, Texas Urban Council, Superintendents

Opposition: N/A

As proposed, S.B. 451 amends current law relating to the permissible uses of the bilingual education allotment provided under the foundation school program.

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. Amends Section 42.153(c), Education Code, to include salaries for teachers among the list of authorized uses of a school district's bilingual education or special language allocation.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2019�2020 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.