81R9773 CAS-F
By: Farrar H.B. No. 4091
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an intensive reading improvement program for public
school students of limited English proficiency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.069 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.069. INTENSIVE READING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. (a) A
school district shall provide to students of limited English
proficiency, in accordance with this section, a reading improvement
program that:
(1) is designed to:
(A) prevent students from having long-term
reading difficulties; and
(B) reduce the risk of students dropping out of
school;
(2) provides individualized, intensive, and
accelerated instruction; and
(3) is aligned with the required curriculum under
Section 28.002.
(b) Each district program must include:
(1) a research-based curriculum designed to guide
students toward reading proficiency;
(2) assessments that are approved by the agency and
designed to measure growth in a student's vocabulary and reading
comprehension;
(3) computer-based instruction that makes available
additional reading practice for students participating in the
program;
(4) a comprehensive system of support for teachers
that includes in-person training, access to online professional
development, and ongoing consultation throughout the school year;
and
(5) teacher training materials and other teacher
training resources, including resource guides, to assist teachers
in enabling students of limited English proficiency to meet state
performance expectations, including performance expectations on
assessment instruments administered under Subchapter B, Chapter
39.
(c) The results of assessments required under Subsection
(b)(2) must be accessible through an Internet data management
system:
(1) to appropriate teachers and administrators; and
(2) in English and Spanish, to the parent of a student
participating in the program.
(d) A school district shall begin providing instruction
under the program to a student of limited English proficiency
before the student enters the seventh grade.
(e) A school district shall begin providing instruction
under the program to students not later than September 30 of each
school year.
(f) Not later than January 31 and June 1 of each school year,
a school district shall provide to the agency a written report on
the progress in reading of students participating in the district's
program.
SECTION 2. Section 39.024(e), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(e) The commissioner shall retain a portion of the total
amount of funds allotted under Section 42.152(a) that the
commissioner considers appropriate to finance activities under
Subsection [Subsections] (c) and may retain a portion for
activities under Section 29.069 [Subsection (d)] and for other
intensive programs of instruction for students of limited English
proficiency offered by school districts and shall reduce each
district's allotment proportionately.
SECTION 3. Section 39.024(d), Education Code, is repealed.
SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
school year.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.