SB 159, supporting dual language education programs, passes Senate

AUSTIN – Senator José Rodríguez’s SB 159, which will help maintain and expand cutting-edge dual-language education in schools across the state, including programs in the El Paso Independent School District, has passed the Senate. It now moves to the Texas House.

“This bill clarifies the requirements for teachers in two-way dual language programs,” Rodríguez said. “Without this bill, successful programs in the EPISD and across the state could have been disrupted. This is good news for those interested in cutting edge educational programs, which EPISD has been a leader in and which are expanding across the state.”

Background:

Dual language programs, used in more than 800 Texas schools, typically immerse students in instruction that is half in one language and half in the other. In the type of dual language programs prevalent at the El Paso Independent School District and many others around the state, the teacher of the English-language component of the program is certified in English as a Second Language (ESL) but typically not certified in Bilingual Education.

National experts, as well as experts at UTEP, who are leaders in dual language education believe a bilingual certified teacher in the Spanish-language portion of the program and a teacher with an  ESL certification for the English-language component is the best combination for delivering a Dual Language Program.

However, due to a recent rule interpretation by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC), when two parts of the Education Code were combined several years ago, teachers in the English-language component of the dual-language program are now required to be bilingually certified. This requires El Paso ISD and other school districts across the state to apply for an exception every year.

S.B. 159 would remove this unnecessary barrier and expand effective Dual Language programs throughout the state, which will benefit thousands of students and hundreds of teachers.

The Texas Association for Bilingual Education states that dual language is the most successful program in bilingual education in Texas.

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José Rodríguez represents Texas Senate District 29, which includes the counties of El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, and Presidio. He represents both urban and rural constituencies, and more than 350 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. Senator Rodríguez currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Hispanic Caucus, and is a member of the Senate Committees on Education; Health and Human Services; Veteran Affairs and Military Installations; Nominations; and Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs. 

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