AUSTIN, TX Senator José Rodríguez's SB 159, which will help maintain and expand cutting-edge dual-language education in schools across the state, including programs in the El Paso Independent School District, has passed a key hurdle after being voted out of committee this week.

"Dual language programs are proven to educate children communicate proficiently in two languages," Senator Rodríguez said. "Given the state's demographics, and the number of children with limited English skills, this is more vital than ever to our future. We have the opportunity to turn that challenge into an advantage."

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.

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.

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