HB06835 - English Language Learners

• Schools must provide bilingual education programs when 20 or more eligible students speak the same non-English language, with students limited to 30 months in the program, extendable to 60 months total with Department of Education approval based on developed standards.

• Mastery examinations must be offered in the five most common native languages of bilingual education students starting in the 2017-18 school year, and student performance data for those in programs less than 20 months cannot be used in school or teacher performance evaluations.

• The Department of Education must develop standards by July 1, 2016 for determining whether a student needs extended bilingual education services and must provide information to schools about parent involvement in language acquisition and native language accommodations on mastery exams.

• Regional educational service centers must survey English language learner services by July 1, 2016 and study the feasibility of providing new bilingual and English language learner programs, with reports due by October 1, 2016.

• In-service training for teachers must include second language acquisition and culturally responsive pedagogy, and school districts must consult with the state on developing research-based language acquisition plans for English language learner students through a pilot program.