The goal of Bilingual education (BE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) education programs is to enable Emerging Bilingual (EB)/English Learner (ELs) students to become competent in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language. Bilingual programs will accomplish this through the development of literacy and academic skills in the primary language and English. The ESL programs will use integrated methods of second language acquisition. These programs will emphasize the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science, and social studies, as integral parts of the academic goals for all students to enable Emerging Bilingual students to participate equitably in school.
Bilingual education and ESL programs are an integral part of the total school program. Such programs use instructional approaches designed to meet the specific language needs of Emerging Bilingual students. The basic curriculum content of the programs shall be based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the English language proficiency standards (ELPS) required by the state.
The Texas English Language Learners Portal is sponsored by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and is part of a Limited English Proficient Student Success Initiative (LEP-SSI), Authorized by Senate Bill 1, General Appropriations Act, Article 111, Rider 62, and Texas Education Code §21.457 and §39.0241(d).
