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HOUSE BILL NO. 190
INTRODUCED BY D. FERN
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ENCOURAGING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAMS IN THE EARLY GRADES; PROVIDING A GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAMS; REQUIRING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO ADMINISTER THE GRANT PROGRAM AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAMS; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Early grades dual language immersion programs -- purpose. The purpose of [sections 1 and 2] is to:
(1) encourage elementary and K-12 school districts to offer, in the early grades, innovative dual language immersion programs to engage students, enhance student cognitive skills, and prepare students to be globally aware and economically competitive; and
(2) provide for a grant program to support the additional costs involved in developing and offering dual language immersion programs.
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Early grades dual language immersion programs -- grants. (1) In order for a school district's dual language immersion program to be eligible for a grant under this section, the program must:
(a) be offered to students on a voluntary basis;
(b) begin in kindergarten or grade 1;
(c) ensure that all participating students receive content area instruction in a language other than English at least 50% of the day; and
(d) adhere to quality dual language immersion program models and standards as determined by the superintendent of public instruction.
(2) An elementary or K-12 school district offering a dual language immersion program meeting the requirements of subsection (1) may apply on an annual basis to the superintendent of public instruction for grants available under this section and appropriated by the legislature for the purposes of [sections 1 and 2].
(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall select grant recipients based on the quality of the proposed program and the program's potential for developing student biliteracy. The superintendent shall distribute grants on an annual basis to selected school districts by November 1. The grants may be used by the district for expenses related to the dual language immersion program, including but not limited to curriculum development, materials and supplies, professional development, and program evaluation. The grant amount may not exceed $10,000 per district and the superintendent shall determine the amount of the award based on:
(a) the number of dual language immersion programs and class sections offered by the district;
(b) the number of participating teachers and students in the district program;
(c) district expenditures related to the establishment and operation of the dual language immersion program; and
(d) the district's financial capacity to support the dual language immersion program.
(4) A school district receiving a grant under this section shall:
(a) deposit the funds in the miscellaneous programs fund established in 20-9-507;
(b) expend the funds only for a dual language immersion program; and
(c) report expenditures of the funds in the annual trustees' report as required by 20-9-213.
(5) (a) In order to increase the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of dual language immersion programs offered throughout the state, the superintendent of public instruction shall:
(i) support school districts in developing dual language immersion programs and curriculum pursuant to 20-7-113 and 20-7-114;
(ii) disseminate to school districts information related to best practices for dual language immersion model program design and delivery; and
(iii) support the professional development of teachers participating in dual language immersion programs.
(b) In fulfilling the duties under this section, the superintendent of public instruction may:
(i) hire consultants to help districts design and implement programs that reflect best practices;
(ii) facilitate site visits for teachers and school administrators to successful dual language immersion programs; and
(iii) adopt rules, standards, and procedures to administer and implement the program.
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Appropriation. (1) There is appropriated $150,000 from the general fund to the office of public instruction for the biennium beginning July 1, 2017.
(2) The appropriation must be used for the purposes described in [sections 1 and 2]. The superintendent of public instruction may not use more than $50,000 for the duties listed in [section 2(5)]. The remainder of the appropriation must be used for grants to school districts.
NEW SECTION. Section 4. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 and 2] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 7, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 7, apply to [sections 1 and 2].
NEW SECTION. Section 5. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2017.
- END -
Latest Version of HB
190 (HB0190.01)
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