Bilingual and English as a Second Language Education Programs
The Emergent Bilingual Support Division provides direction and leadership with the implementation of Bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs for emergent bilingual (EB) students/English learners (ELs).
Announcements
Check out the Emergent Bilingual Student Web Portal TXEL.ORG for continuously updated resources for Teachers, Leaders, Parents and families of Emergent Bilingual Students, and Community Partners.
Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) Guidance and Resources
Current School Year
- LPAC Framework Training and Resources
- Beginning-of-Year (BOY) LPAC Guidance Checklist
- Middle-of-Year (MOY) LPAC Guidance Checklist
- Coming Soon- Updated Emergent Bilingual Student Reclassification Criteria Chart (English and Spanish)
2023-2024
- End-of-Year (EOY) LPAC Guidance Checklist
- Emergent Bilingual/ English Learner Reclassification Criteria Chart (English and Spanish) Updated November 2023
- Emergent Bilingual Student Summer School Guidance
2024-2025 Emergent Bilingual Support Update Meetings with LEAs and ESCs
The TEA Emergent Bilingual Support Division welcomes Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and regional Education Service Centers (ESCs) to join our Emergent Bilingual Support Division Meetings. See our EB TXEL Portal for dates, meeting links, presentations, and recordings.
Program Requirement Resources
These resources, tools, and web pages provide guidance on bilingual and English as a second language (ESL) program requirements:
- NEW FAQ - HUB (Published September 2024)
- Bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs Implementation Tools
- Guidance on Identification and Placement of English Learners Prior to Kindergarten (Updated November 2021)
- Funding Guidebook (May 2022)
- LPAC Guidance for Deaf or Hard of Hearing English Learners and associated training video
- NEW Bilingual Education Certification Pathways
- TSDS PEIMS Code Guide for Bilingual and ESL Program Association
- EB Student/EL Decision Chart for the LPAC with PEIMS codes (Updated November 2023)
- NEW Integrating Bilingual/ESL Teachers in a Local Designation System
Program Requirement Resource Web Pages
- Framework Manual for the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) Process (outside source)
- Guidance Related to ARD Committee and LPAC Collaboration
- NEW Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver Resources
- Single, Statewide Assessments for Emergent Bilingual Students
- Identification: Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) LAS Links Battery of Assessments (Texas-dedicated site)
- Reclassification (Academic Achievement Component - Grades 1, 2, 11, and 12): Riverside Insights, Iowa Assessments, Form F (Texas-dedicated site)
Program Implementation
The TEA Emergent Bilingual Support Division has developed program implementation Texas Effective Dual Language Immersion Framework (TXEDLIF), TBE, ESL rubrics and associated tools to support LEAs with evaluating and enhancing their bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.
Program Statutes
The following statutes relate to bilingual and English as a second language (ESL) programs:
- Texas Education Code (TEC) §29.051 -29.064 - Bilingual Education and ESL Programs
- Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 89. Adaptations for Special Populations Subchapter BB. Commissioner's Rules Concerning State Plan for Educating Emergent Bilingual Students
Title III, Part A — English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act
Title III, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), aims to ensure that English learners (ELs) and immigrant students attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English. Title III will also assist all English learners meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet.
Division of Emergent Bilingual Support
Phone: (512) 463-9414
EmergentBilingualSupport@tea.texas.gov
Contact Information
Julie Lara, Ph.D.
Director of Emergent Bilingual Support
Julie.Lara@tea.texas.gov
Xochitl Anabel Rocha, Ed.D.
Bilingual Programs Policy & Technical Assistance Manager
Xochitl.Rocha@tea.texas.gov
Rickey Santellana
State/Federal Engagement and Projects Manager
Rickey.Santellana@tea.texas.gov
Amy Johnson
Policy and Engagement Coordinator
Amy.Johnson@tea.texas.gov
Patricia Quesada, Ed.D.
Bilingual Education Programs Coordinator
patricia.quesada@tea.texas.gov
Michelle Merrick
ESL Coordinator
Michelle.Merrick@tea.texas.gov
Special Populations Division
Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701-1401
512-463-9414