Texas Senate Bill SB1460

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/17/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/22/09

Caption

Relating to professional development academies designed for public school teachers who provide instruction to certain students of limited English proficiency.

Impact

The bill's implementation is expected to have a significant influence on educational practices throughout Texas by ensuring that teachers working with LEP students receive substantial training tailored to their needs. Such academies are intended to address the challenges these students face in comprehending and engaging with the curriculum. The legislation also specifies that teachers who fulfill particular requirements, such as working in schools with performance issues concerning LEP students, must attend these training sessions to enhance their teaching effectiveness.

Summary

SB1460 is a legislative bill focused on establishing professional development academies aimed at enhancing the instructional skills of public school teachers who educate students with limited English proficiency (LEP). It mandates that the Education Commissioner design and provide these academies specifically for teachers instructing seventh-grade students or higher. The bill highlights the importance of equipping teachers with research-based strategies to improve English language development and facilitate academic success across various subjects including English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Contention

While the bill aims to address critical gaps in education for LEP students, it may attract some contention regarding the allocation of resources for the professional development academies. Questions could arise over the adequacy of funding to support these training initiatives and whether they will sufficiently prepare teachers to meet the diverse linguistic and cultural needs of their students. Furthermore, the inclusion of stipends for attending teachers, although beneficial, raises concerns about the sustainability of such financial incentives in the long term and their effect on budget priorities within educational institutions.