Texas House Bill HB880

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to permissible teachers assigned to a bilingual education program and the permissible uses of the bilingual education allotment provided under the foundation school program.

Impact

The amendments proposed by HB 880 are expected to have a considerable impact on the staffing of bilingual education programs in Texas schools. By permitting districts facing shortages of bilingual educators to hire ESL-certified teachers, the bill aims to ensure that students in bilingual settings continue to receive instruction without significant disruptions. This flexibility is particularly relevant in regions where there may be a lack of adequately certified bilingual teachers, thus addressing urgent needs while attempting to maintain educational standards.

Summary

House Bill 880 is designed to amend the Education Code of Texas concerning teachers assigned to bilingual education programs and the usage of bilingual education allotments under the foundation school program. One significant aspect of the bill is the modification of the certification requirements for teachers in various bilingual education program models. The bill maintains the need for certification in certain models such as transitional bilingual programs but introduces flexibility by allowing districts to assign teachers certified in English as a second language in cases of teacher shortages, thus broadening the pool of eligible educators for these programs.

Contention

While supporters of HB 880 argue that it is a necessary step toward improving education for bilingual students by addressing certification shortages, critics might raise concerns regarding the adequacy of ESL-certified teachers to fulfill the roles required in specialized bilingual programs. The debate surrounding the balance between maintaining high educational standards and the logistical realities of teacher availability is likely to be at the forefront of discussions regarding this bill. Additionally, the effective allocation of bilingual education funds remains a topic of scrutiny, especially regarding how these decisions impact the quality of instruction and support provided to bilingual students.