Bilingual Education
§89.1201. Policy.
(a) It is the policy of the state that every student in the state who has a home language other than English and who is identified as an English language learner shall be provided a full opportunity to participate in a bilingual education or English as a second language (ESL) program, as required in the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 29, Subchapter B. To ensure equal educational opportunity, as required in the TEC, §1.002(a), each school district shall:
(1) identify English language learners based on criteria established by the state;
(2) provide bilingual education and ESL programs, as integral parts of the regular program as described in the TEC, §4.002;
(3) seek certified teaching personnel to ensure that English language learners are afforded full opportunity to master the essential knowledge and skills required by the state; and
(4) assess achievement for essential knowledge and skills in accordance with the TEC, Chapter 39, to ensure accountability for English language learners and the schools that serve them.
(b) The goal of bilingual education programs shall be to enable English language learners to become competent in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language through the development of literacy and academic skills in the primary language and English. Such programs shall emphasize the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science, and social studies, as integral parts of the academic goals for all students to enable English language learners to participate equitably in school.
(c) The goal of ESL programs shall be to enable English language learners to become competent in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language through the integrated use of second language methods. The ESL program shall emphasize the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science, and social studies, as integral parts of the academic goals for all students to enable English language learners to participate equitably in school.
(d) Bilingual education and ESL programs shall be integral parts of the total school program. Such programs shall use instructional approaches designed to meet the special needs of English language learners. The basic curriculum content of the programs shall be based on the essential knowledge and skills required by the state.
Source: The provisions of this §89.1201 adopted to be effective September 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 5700; amended to be effective May 28, 2012, 37 TexReg 3822.
The Division of Program Monitoring and Interventions (PMI) develops and implements integrated program review processes for bilingual education/English as a second language (BE/ESL) programs statewide that promote program effectiveness and improved student performance, and monitor compliance with requirements for students served.
Recommended Web Sites:
Texas Education Agency – Bilingual/ESL Education
Provides information on Bil/ESL guidelines curriculum, assessment, rules, textbooks, etc. for individuals working to provide high quality programs for limited English proficient students.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/bilingual.html
Texas Education Agency - TELPAS
Covers the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) as a tool to measure the progress made by second language learners as they learn English.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/telpas/
Texas Education Agency – STAAR
Comprehensive information on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Check the following link regularly for new updates.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/
Texas English Language Learners Portal
This portal provides a variety of current resources relevant to ELL assessment, compliance, certification, instruction, and professional development.
http://elltx.org/
National Association for Bilingual Education (professional organization)
Learn about relevant legislation and policies, and look over press releases. www.nabe.org
TESOL (professional organization)
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
http://www.tesol.org/
US Department of Education
Comprehensive education resource covers access, grants, programs, and teaching materials.
http://www.ed.gov/
(a) It is the policy of the state that every student in the state who has a home language other than English and who is identified as an English language learner shall be provided a full opportunity to participate in a bilingual education or English as a second language (ESL) program, as required in the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 29, Subchapter B. To ensure equal educational opportunity, as required in the TEC, §1.002(a), each school district shall:
(1) identify English language learners based on criteria established by the state;
(2) provide bilingual education and ESL programs, as integral parts of the regular program as described in the TEC, §4.002;
(3) seek certified teaching personnel to ensure that English language learners are afforded full opportunity to master the essential knowledge and skills required by the state; and
(4) assess achievement for essential knowledge and skills in accordance with the TEC, Chapter 39, to ensure accountability for English language learners and the schools that serve them.
(b) The goal of bilingual education programs shall be to enable English language learners to become competent in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language through the development of literacy and academic skills in the primary language and English. Such programs shall emphasize the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science, and social studies, as integral parts of the academic goals for all students to enable English language learners to participate equitably in school.
(c) The goal of ESL programs shall be to enable English language learners to become competent in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language through the integrated use of second language methods. The ESL program shall emphasize the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science, and social studies, as integral parts of the academic goals for all students to enable English language learners to participate equitably in school.
(d) Bilingual education and ESL programs shall be integral parts of the total school program. Such programs shall use instructional approaches designed to meet the special needs of English language learners. The basic curriculum content of the programs shall be based on the essential knowledge and skills required by the state.
Source: The provisions of this §89.1201 adopted to be effective September 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 5700; amended to be effective May 28, 2012, 37 TexReg 3822.
The Division of Program Monitoring and Interventions (PMI) develops and implements integrated program review processes for bilingual education/English as a second language (BE/ESL) programs statewide that promote program effectiveness and improved student performance, and monitor compliance with requirements for students served.
Recommended Web Sites:
Texas Education Agency – Bilingual/ESL Education
Provides information on Bil/ESL guidelines curriculum, assessment, rules, textbooks, etc. for individuals working to provide high quality programs for limited English proficient students.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/bilingual.html
Texas Education Agency - TELPAS
Covers the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) as a tool to measure the progress made by second language learners as they learn English.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/ell/telpas/
Texas Education Agency – STAAR
Comprehensive information on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Check the following link regularly for new updates.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/
Texas English Language Learners Portal
This portal provides a variety of current resources relevant to ELL assessment, compliance, certification, instruction, and professional development.
http://elltx.org/
National Association for Bilingual Education (professional organization)
Learn about relevant legislation and policies, and look over press releases. www.nabe.org
TESOL (professional organization)
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
http://www.tesol.org/
US Department of Education
Comprehensive education resource covers access, grants, programs, and teaching materials.
http://www.ed.gov/