Free Republic

AUSTIN — Students trying to learn English and those who already speak the language are typically separated into different classrooms at most schools. But a dual language immersion program state lawmakers approved this session will pair those children together in an effort to help all of them become bilingual. The six-year pilot program will be tried out in up to 10 Texas public school districts and 30 campuses. Lawmakers who supported the bill say it tries to address the reality of Texas schools. More than 40 percent of first-graders in the state's largest urban school districts — Houston, Dallas and...