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Rodriguez Files Texas Legislation Aimed At Helping Develop Workforce

SEN. JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ

  Senator José Rodríguez filed two key bills that would maintain cutting edge dual-language education and ensure the state invests in students with Limited English Proficiency, who are crucial to Texas' long-term economic future.

"Demographic changes in our country require a different approach when educating large numbers of children who are not proficient in English," Senator Rodríguez said. "These children, who will make up our future labor force, will be either limited in English proficiency or will be proficient in two or more languages. We have the opportunity to choose which one will serve us better."

Said Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE) President Vivian Pratts: "Bilingual education is an investment in Texas' future because it is economic development of our workforce; fully funding education will determine our viability for generations to come."

The bills are as follows:

·       Senate Bill 161 (relating to the bilingual education allotment provided under the public school finance system)

o   According to the Texas Education Agency's March enrollment report, English Language Learners (ELL) make up 15 percent of the Texas student body, which is higher than the national average of about 10 percent. In communities along the border, the number is nearly 30 percent. These percentages will only continue to increase. This poses a challenge for Texas, and an opportunity. Numerous studies show not only the cognitive, social and health benefits of being bilingual, but the economic benefit as well.

o   Experts recommend an additional 30 to 40 percent in funding for students in bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. However, today’s state funding formula, which hasn’t been updated since 1984, only adds 10 percent.SB 161 would boost that to 25 percent.

·       Senate Bill 159 (relating to certification requirements for teachers in bilingual education)

o   Dual language programs typically immerse students in instruction that is half in one language and half in the other. Dual Language programs have proven to be more effective than other programs that serve ELL students and have the added benefit of enriching English dominant students with instruction in another language.

o   In the type of dual language programs prevalent at the El Paso Independent School District and many others around the state, the teacher of the English-language component of the program is certified in English as a Second Language (ESL) but typically not certified in Bilingual Education.

o   National experts as well as experts at UTEP who are leaders in dual language education believe a bilingual certified teacher in the Spanish-language portion of the program and a teacher with an  ESL certification for the English-language component is the best combination for delivering a Dual Language Program.

o   However, due to changes made by TEA when two parts of the Education Code were combined several years ago, teachers in the English-language component of the dual-language program are now required to be bilingually certified. This requires El Paso ISD and other school districts across the state to apply for an exception every year.

o   S.B. 159 would remove this unnecessary barrier and expand effective Dual Language programs throughout the state, which will benefit thousands of students and hundreds of teachers.

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José Rodríguez represents Texas Senate District 29, which includes the counties of El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, and Presidio. He represents both urban and rural constituencies, and more than 350 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. Senator Rodríguez currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee, and a member of the Senate Committees on Criminal Justice, Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, and Government Organization.