H.R. No. 46
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The face of Texas is rapidly changing, and
demographic trends indicate that Hispanics will likely make up a
majority of the population within the next decade; as a result, the
state is in great need of more certified bilingual teachers, and a
program at the University of North Texas is wisely addressing that
need; and
WHEREAS, In collaboration with the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, UNT is offering the Roberto R. Alonzo
Bilingual/ESL Education Scholars Program to provide tuition
assistance and loan forgiveness as incentives for students to
pursue certification programs in bilingual or ESL education;
covering tuition, fees, and a small book allowance, the
scholarships are available for up to 25 junior and senior education
students at UNT; and
WHEREAS, Students enrolled in this program must maintain at
least a 2.75 grade point average, meet financial aid requirements,
and dedicate the majority of their classes to early childhood to
fourth-grade level bilingual or ESL courses, as well as agree to
teach full-time as a certified teacher in early childhood through
fourth-grade bilingual or ESL classes at a public school in Texas
for five years; and
WHEREAS, Equipping future teachers with fluency in the
Spanish language that will facilitate the delivery of content in
the classroom as well as encouraging respect and appreciation of
linguistic and cultural differences are important priorities of the
UNT program, and student participants may take pride not only in the
fact that they will be in high demand on graduation but also that
they are providing a service that is vital to the future of our
state by attending to the needs of the growing population of
Spanish-speaking schoolchildren; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby honor participants in the University of North
Texas Roberto R. Alonzo Bilingual/ESL Education Scholars Program
for 2011 and commend them for their commitment and dedication to the
children of Texas.
Alonzo
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 46 was adopted by the House on
February 24, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House