19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1201 - Policy

(a) It is the policy of the state that every student in the state who has a home language other than English and who is identified as an emergent bilingual (EB) student shall be provided a full opportunity to participate in bilingual education, to include bilingual and English as a second language (ESL) programs, as required in Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 29, Subchapter B. To ensure equal educational opportunity, as required in TEC, §1.002(a), each school district shall:

(1) identify EB students based on criteria established by the state;

(2) provide bilingual education, including bilingual and ESL programs, as integral parts of the general program as described in TEC, §4.002;

(3) seek appropriately certified teaching personnel to ensure that EB students are afforded full opportunity to master the essential knowledge and skills required by the state; and

(4) assess for academic achievement and linguistic progress in accordance with TEC, Chapter 29, Subchapter B, to ensure accountability for EB students and the schools that serve them.

(b) The goal of bilingual program models, including dual-language immersion and transitional bilingual education, shall be to enable EB students to develop home or partner language literacy and academic skills through the integrated use of content-based language instructional methods to become proficient in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language. Such programs shall include the mastery of grade level reading and language arts knowledge and skills in the home or partner language and in English, along with mathematics, science, and social studies knowledge and skills as integral parts of the academic goals for all students to enable EB students to participate equitably in school.

(c) The goal of ESL program models, including content-based and pull-out, shall be to enable EB students to become proficient in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language through the integrated use of content-based language instructional methods. The ESL program shall include the mastery of grade level English reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies knowledge and skills in English as integral parts of the academic goals for all students to enable EB students to participate equitably in school.

(d) Bilingual and ESL programs shall be integral parts of the total school program. Such programs shall use instructional approaches designed to meet the specific language needs of EB students. The curriculum content of the programs shall be based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the English Language Proficiency Standards required by the state.

Notes

19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1201

The provisions of this §89.1201 adopted to be effective September 1, 1996, 21 TexReg 5700; amended to be effective May 28, 2012, 37 TexReg 3822; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 28, July 13, 2018, TexReg 4739, eff. 7/15/2018; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 45, Number 15, April 10, 2020, TexReg 2417, eff. 4/14/2020; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 48, Number 31, August 4, 2023, TexReg 4247, eff. 8/9/2023; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 50, Number 06, February 7, 2025, TexReg 0765, eff. 2/10/2025