Texas Bilingual Education Rules: Complete 2025 Guide
✅ Texas Bilingual Education Rules and Compliance Overview
Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 89, Subchapter BB outlines the state-mandated rules for bilingual and ESL education. These regulations, governed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), aim to ensure equitable academic access for emergent bilingual learners. The rules apply to public schools serving students identified as English learners (ELs), and they define the standards for program models, identification procedures, staff qualifications, parental rights, and compliance requirements.
🎓 Identification and Assessment of English Learners (ELs)
School districts are required to establish a Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC). This committee oversees:
Initial identification of ELs within the first 20 school days of enrollment
Use of Home Language Survey (HLS) as the first screening tool
Formal testing using state-approved English language proficiency assessments
Annual reassessment of language proficiency and academic progress
Districts must document each EL’s status and placement in an approved program model.
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📚 Approved Bilingual and ESL Program Models in Texas
Texas mandates bilingual or ESL programs based on grade level and student population thresholds:
Bilingual Education Models (Elementary Grades)
Transitional Bilingual/Early Exit: Builds English proficiency, exits students by grade 1–3
Transitional Bilingual/Late Exit: Supports through grade 6 with extended native language instruction
Dual Language Immersion/One-Way: For ELs only; develops bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural skills
Dual Language Immersion/Two-Way: Includes ELs and native English speakers; instruction is 50/50 in both languages
ESL Models (All Grade Levels)
ESL Content-Based: ELs receive all instruction in English by ESL-certified teachers
ESL Pull-Out: ELs receive targeted ESL instruction while attending mainstream classes
Districts must implement a bilingual program if 20 or more ELs in the same language group are enrolled in the same grade district-wide.
👩🏫 Program Staffing and Certification Requirements
Each program model requires certified educators:
Bilingual teachers must hold a bilingual education certification appropriate to the grade level
ESL teachers must possess ESL supplemental certification
Instructional aides must be appropriately trained and supervised
Districts must ensure ongoing professional development in bilingual pedagogy.
📄 LPAC Documentation and Parental Notification
LPACs must document:
Assessment results
Placement rationale
Exit criteria and reclassification decisions
Annual parent notifications in a language they understand
Parents must be informed of their rights and may deny bilingual program services, though ESL services remain mandatory unless withdrawn from public school.
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🛡️ Monitoring and Compliance
TEA audits compliance via:
Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS)
Federal and state reporting requirements
Bilingual/ESL program evaluations
Corrective action plans for non-compliance
Districts must maintain detailed records of student placement, staff qualifications, instructional practices, and program outcomes.
📈 The Kintess School Approach to Bilingual Education
At Kintess, we implement an integrated, student-centered bilingual framework aligned with Texas TAC 89 standards and enhanced by global best practices. Our model combines dual language immersion with inquiry-based learning, supporting cognitive development, cultural competence, and bilingual fluency. LPAC decisions are guided by real-time data and holistic language portfolios, and our educators undergo continual training in translanguaging and formative assessment.
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We ensure that families are equal partners in the language acquisition journey through transparent communication, multilingual materials, and community engagement initiatives. Our approach guarantees compliance while elevating academic excellence for every emergent bilingual student. Texas public schools must ensure bilingual and ESL programs are research-based, culturally responsive, and linguistically inclusive. Chapter 89 not only mandates legal compliance but sets the framework for delivering high-quality instruction to students acquiring English. Schools that effectively implement these models like Kintess serve as exemplars of equity and excellence in bilingual education across the state.
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