By: Guerra H.B. No. 2258
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to developing a strategic plan for the improvement and
  expansion of high-quality bilingual education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.067 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.067.  STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND BILINGUAL
  EDUCATION. (a) In this section, "general academic teaching
  institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  The agency, in collaboration with the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission,
  shall develop a strategic plan that sets tangible goals and
  establishes timelines to:
               (1)  increase the number of educators certified under
  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, in bilingual education instruction;
               (2)  increase the number of dual language
  immersion/one-way and two-way program models used in public
  schools;
               (3)  educate families and school district employees
  regarding the importance of bilingual education in early childhood;
               (4)  adopt a uniform process for:
                     (A)  identifying students in prekindergarten
  through 12th grade of limited English proficiency;
                     (B)  monitoring the bilingual learning of
  students in prekindergarten through 12th grade; and 
                     (C)  collecting data regarding the identification
  and monitoring under Paragraphs (A) and (B); and
               (5)  increase the number of bilingual and multilingual
  high school graduates. 
         (c)  In developing the strategic plan, the agency:
               (1)  shall consult with appropriate representatives
  of:
                     (A)  general academic teaching institutions;
                     (B)  public schools;
                     (C)  early childhood education programs; and
                     (D)  parents and legal guardians of public school
  students; and
               (2)  may collaborate with representatives of:
                     (A)  state, regional, and local agencies;
                     (B)  nonprofit organizations;
                     (C)  social services providers;
                     (D)  faith-based organizations; and
                     (E)  the business community.
         (d)  The agency shall submit the plan developed under this
  section to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of
  the house of representatives, and each member of the standing
  committees of the senate and house of representatives having
  primary jurisdiction over public education not later than December
  1, 2022.
         (e)  This section expires January 1, 2023.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2021.