HUMBLE

As part of Title III Initiatives, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Emergent Bilingual Support Division assisted Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in planning a series of virtual information sessions that provide valuable information to parents and families of Emergent Bilingual students. 

In the first video of the T3 Engagement Series, TEA representatives for bilingual education Dr. Xóchitl Anabel Rocha, Rickey Santellana and Dr. Julie Lara discussed ways that parents of Emergent Bilingual students can increase their participation in their children’s education. 

The session was divided into three different topics presented by each speaker: 

The process for serving Emergent bilingual Students in Texas, Dr. Xóchitl Anabel Rocha

• Step 1: Identification

A Home Language Survey should be conducted to every family of new students enrolling in Texas public schools during matriculation. The three questions asked by the survey are: 

1.) Which languages are used at home? 

2.) Which languages are used by the child at home? 

3.) If the child had a previous home setting, which languages were used?

If there is a language other than English represented in the student’s Home Language Survey, then the student would be requested to participate in an English Proficiency Assessment. 

• Step 2: Placement

Once the student takes the Home Language Survey and the English Proficiency Assessment, the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC), composed of a campus administrator, a bilingual or ESL teacher and a parent/guardian representative evaluates the student to determine if the student should be placed in either the bilingual program or ESL program models. 

• Step 3: Reclassification

At the end of the school year, the LPAC committee assesses the students’ performance for reclassification criteria. To be reclassified, all emergent bilingual students must pass the TELPAS exam, which assesses students’ reading, listening, writing and speaking skills as well as the STAAR test, and the teacher of record states that the child will be successful in an all-English classroom. 

All students, including those whose parents have denied services for their child are administered the TELPAS exam, which assesses students’ reading, listening, writing and speaking skills. 

• Step 4: Monitoring

Every student who has been reclassified will be monitored for two years after reclassification. During the monitoring period, students are considered an English-proficient student and will no longer be administered the TELPAS assessment. 

Preparing for Beyond High School, Rickey Santellana

The website TXEL.org provides tools that help students research colleges, search the workforce or learn about military options. On the website parents will find a list of resources for post-secondary readiness.

• Applying for College

When applying for college, your child will need immunization records, high school transcripts, a resume, letter of recommendation and if applicable, their SAT/ACT scores.

• FAFSA & TASFA

The FAFSA is the Freel Application for Federal Student Aid and is available to U.S. citizens The TASFA is the Texas Application for State Financial Aid and is available to Texas residents who are not U.S. citizens. Any personal information collected on the TASFA is protected under FERPA. 

• Scholarships & Grants

There are scholarships available based on ethnicity, gender, age, birth place and the student’s field of study while others are merit-based and focus on the student’s grades, test scores, accomplishments and financial need. 

Texas Reality Check, Dr. Julie Lara

The Texas Reality Check site includes a lifestyle calculator, an occupation calculator and guidance on how students can earn post-secondary certifications or degrees.

• Lifestyle Calculator

This allows students and their parents to walk through expenses they will incur each month, determine minimum salary needs and explore occupations that earn their desired salary.

• Occupation Calculator

The occupation calculator allows students and parents to select an occupation and review their personal expenses to determine if their expected salary can support their lifestyle. 

Save the date for these additional virtual information sessions:

Empowering Families through Helpful Resources
5:30 p.m. | Thursday, February 22, 2024
Focuses on literacy services to improve families’ English language skills and provide parenting activities.