TITLE: Relating to the establishment of a program at the University of North Texas to provide financial incentives to certain students who agree to teach bilingual education, English as a second language, or Spanish in certain public schools.

SUMMARY: Relating to the establishment of a program at the University of North Texas to provide financial incentives to certain students who agree to teach bilingual education, English as a second language, or Spanish in certain public schools.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the establishment of a program at the University of North Texas to provide financial incentives to certain students who agree to teach bilingual education, English as a second language, or Spanish in certain public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 105, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 105.205 to read as follows: Sec. 105.205. FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO PREPARE TEACHERS IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, AND SPANISH. The University of North Texas may establish and administer a program to provide financial incentives such as tuition assistance or student loan repayment to students at institutions of higher education in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who: (1) agree to: (A) enroll in educator preparation programs at the University of North Texas; and (B) obtain, within the period prescribed by the university, certification to teach bilingual education, English as a second language, or Spanish; (2) accept, during the first school year that begins after the date the student becomes certified as provided by Subdivision (1)(B), an offer of full-time employment to teach bilingual education, English as a second language, or Spanish in a public elementary or secondary school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area; and (3) teach bilingual education, English as a second language, or Spanish at that school for at least two school years. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.