Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver Resources

 Application Requirements

• Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including school districts, districts of innovation, and open-enrollment charter schools that are unable to provide the appropriately certified teachers to implement the bilingual education program must request from the commissioner of education an exception for the bilingual education program and approval to offer a temporary alternative language program as per 19 TAC §89.1207(a).
• Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including school districts, districts of innovation, and open-enrollment charter schools that are unable to provide the appropriately certified teachers to implement the ESL program must request from the commissioner of education a waiver for the ESL program and approval to offer a temporary alternative language program as per 19 TAC §89.1207(b).
• All applications are due on or before November 1, 2022. 
• Complete both parts of the application: District Information/Data Dashboard Submission Application - Part 1 (Excel file) and the Alternative Language Program/Recruiting Activities Form - Part 2 (fillable PDF), and submit to TEA as attachments in an email to: BilingualExceptions_ESLWaivers@tea.texas.gov. (Notice the underscore after the word Exceptions in the email address.)
• The district's Bilingual/ESL contact person may complete the exception/waiver application, but the application includes an assurance that the superintendent has reviewed and approved the completed application prior to submission.

Contact the English Learner Support Division with any questions related to the Bilingual Education Exception and/or ESL Waiver requirements and application process at EnglishLearnerSupport@tea.texas.gov.  

Application and Instructions

• Instructions - 2022-2023 Bilingual Education Exception/ESL Waiver Application
• Video - Explanation of the 2021-2022 Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver Application
• Application Part 1 -  District Information/Data Dashboard Submission Application (Excel file)
• Application Part 2 - Alternative Language Program/Recruiting Activities Form (fillable PDF)

Resources

• Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ): Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver (updated September 2021)
• Bilingual Education Exception Scenario Chain (PDF) and Explanatory Video - Bilingual Programs (running time 18:34)
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Waiver Scenario Chain (PDF) and Explanatory Video - ESL Programs (running time 13:09)
• Allowable Use of Bilingual Education Allotment (BEA) Funds for the Comprehensive Professional Development Plan (updated September 2021)