By: Romero H.B. No. 5374
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the bilingual education allotment under the public
school finance system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 48.105(a) and (b), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) For each student in average daily attendance in a
bilingual education or special language program under Subchapter B,
Chapter 29, a district is entitled to an annual allotment equal to
the basic allotment multiplied by:
(1) for an emergent bilingual student, as defined by
Section 29.052:
(A) 0.15 [0.1]; or
(B) 0.25 [0.15] if the student is in a bilingual
education program using a dual language immersion[/one-way or
two-way program] model; and
(2) for a student not described by Subdivision (1),
0.05 if the student is in a bilingual education program using a dual
language immersion[/two-way program] model.
(b) At least 60 [55] percent of the funds allocated under
this section must be used in providing bilingual education or
special language programs under Subchapter B, Chapter 29. A
district's bilingual education or special language allocation may
be used only for:
(1) program and student evaluation;[,]
(2) supplementary instructional materials and
equipment;[,]
(3) staff development and bilingual educator
training;[,]
(4) supplemental staff expenses, excluding base
salaries;[,]
(5) salary supplements for bilingual-certified
teachers, excluding base salaries;[,]
(6) incremental costs associated with providing
smaller class sizes, including salaries for educational aides
serving emergent bilingual students;[,]
(7) recruitment, preparation, and retention
incentives for bilingual educators;[,] and
(8) other supplies and expenses directly required for
quality instruction.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.