Sec. 28.0052. DUAL LANGUAGE EDUCATION PILOT PROJECT

(a) The commissioner shall establish a pilot project in school districts selected by the commissioner under which the agency examines dual language education programs and the effect of those programs on a student's ability to graduate from high school.

(b) In selecting school districts under Subsection (a), the commissioner shall:

(1) select districts that will commit to operate a dual language education program for at least three years; and

(2) give preference to a district that:

(A) demonstrates the potential:

(i) for expanding the program through middle school and high school; and

(ii) to offer at least one language program in addition to the language other than English used in the pilot program;

(B) will implement the program at the kindergarten level; and

(C) demonstrates parent, teacher, and community support for the program.

(c) The commissioner may select not more than 10 school districts and not more than 30 campuses to operate a dual language education program under this section.

(d) The commissioner by rule shall, except as provided by Subsection (e), require a district to limit activities of the dual language education program during the first year of the program to planning activities, including:

(1) hiring and training teachers and ensuring teacher certification;

(2) establishing parental and community support for the program; and

(3) acquiring adequate learning materials in both program languages.

(e) A program that applies for the expansion or improvement of an existing dual language education program is eligible for funding under the pilot project only to the extent authorized by the commissioner in compliance with Subsection (c). An existing dual language education program is not subject to the limitations on activities imposed under Subsection (d).

(f) Funding provided for a dual language education program may be used by a district for classroom materials.

(g) The agency shall report to the legislature describing the agency's activities under the pilot project, the effect of the project on grade-level completion and high school graduation rates, and the recommendations arising from the project. The agency shall submit an interim report under this subsection not later than January 1, 2011, and a final report not later than January 1, 2013.

(h) This section expires August 1, 2013.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1255 , Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.