bill funding alternative dual language programs

The text as introduced · 435 words

89R14803 ANG-F

By: Dutton
H.B. No. 3460

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the bilingual education allotment under the public

school finance system.

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

SECTION 1. Section 29.054, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) Notwithstanding Section 29.066(c), the agency may

require, for purposes of implementing Section 48.105, a school

district that is granted an exception under this section to:

(1) include in the district's Public Education

Information Management System (PEIMS) report additional

information specified by the agency and relating to the alternative

language education methods used by the district; and

(2) classify the alternative language education

methods used by the district under the Public Education Information

Management System (PEIMS) report as specified by the agency.

SECTION 2. Section 48.105, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) and amending Subsection (b) to

read as follows:

(a-1) The agency shall review school districts that offer

alternative language education methods approved by the agency under

Section 29.054(d) and approve districts to receive the allotment

under Subsection (a-2) for that biennium in a manner that provides

not more than $10 million total under the allotment to school

districts in each biennium. In approving school districts to

receive the allotment under this subsection, the agency shall, to

the extent possible, approve eligible school districts from a

cross-section of this state.

(a-2) For each student in average daily attendance in an

alternative language education method approved by the agency under

Section 29.054(d), and offered by a school district approved to

receive the allotment under Subsection (a-1), the district is

entitled to an annual allotment equal to the basic allotment

multiplied by:

(1) 0.15 for an emergent bilingual student, as defined

by Section 29.052, if the student is in an alternative language

education method using a dual language immersion/one-way or two-way

program model; and

(2) 0.05 for a student not described by Subdivision

(1), if the student is in an alternative language education method

using a dual language immersion/one-way or two-way program model.

(b) At least 55 percent of the funds allocated under this

section must be used in providing bilingual education or special

language programs under Subchapter B, Chapter 29. A district's

bilingual education or special language allocation may be used only

for program and student evaluation, instructional materials and

equipment, staff development, supplemental staff expenses, teacher

salaries [ salary supplements for teachers ], incremental costs

associated with providing smaller class sizes, and other supplies

required for quality instruction.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.