84R2032 MK-D
By: González H.B. No. 56
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate the English
language proficiency standards used in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.067 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.067. TASK FORCE ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
STANDARDS. (a) A task force is established under this section to
evaluate the efficacy of the agency's English language proficiency
standards for students in grades 9-12.
(b) The task force shall be composed of the following
members appointed by the commissioner:
(1) five teachers who are certified in bilingual
education, with appointments reflecting the geographic diversity
of this state and including teachers from both rural and urban
school districts;
(2) one representative of the agency with expertise
related to the English language proficiency standards;
(3) one representative of the agency with expertise
related to the Texas essential knowledge and skills;
(4) one central office administrator from an urban
school district and one central office administrator from a rural
school district; and
(5) one superintendent of a school district that has a
proportionately high number of students of limited English
proficiency.
(c) The member of the task force appointed under Subsection
(b)(2) shall serve as the presiding officer of the task force.
(d) The commissioner shall appoint the members of the task
force not later than December 1, 2015.
(e) The presiding officer shall call the initial meeting of
the task force on or before January 1, 2016. The task force shall
meet at the times and places that the presiding officer determines
are appropriate. The task force shall adopt rules necessary to
fulfill the task force's duties under this section.
(f) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
task force.
(g) The task force shall:
(1) examine the impact of the agency's English
language proficiency standards on the achievement of students of
limited English proficiency in grades 9-12;
(2) examine the impact of the Texas essential
knowledge and skills on the agency's English language proficiency
standards;
(3) evaluate the efficacy of the agency's English
language proficiency standards for grades 9-12, with a focus on
maintaining quality of instruction and full access to the Texas
essential knowledge and skills curriculum;
(4) identify effective methods for incorporating the
Texas essential knowledge and skills curriculum into the agency's
English language proficiency standards for students in grades 9-12;
(5) examine the impact of the agency's English
language proficiency standards on the achievement of students
enrolled in special education programs; and
(6) examine the performance of students of limited
English proficiency who are evaluated with the agency's English
language proficiency standards against the performance of students
who are proficient in English.
(h) The task force shall prepare a report that includes:
(1) a description of the activities of the task force;
(2) the findings and recommendations of the task
force, including any proposed policy recommendations; and
(3) any proposals for legislation or other matters the
task force considers appropriate.
(i) Not later than September 1, 2017, the task force shall
deliver the report required by Subsection (h) to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
the chair of the State Board of Education, and the Bilingual/ESL
Unit of the Division of Curriculum in the agency.
(j) The task force is abolished and this section expires
December 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. 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, 2015.