AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - An expert on bilingual education has told Texas' sweeping school finance trial of the state's dramatic growth in students considered English-language learners.
Delia Pompa is senior vice president of the National Council of La Raza. She testified Tuesday that from 1998 to 2008, the number of English-language learners jumped 38.4 percent.
That's compared to overall enrollment growth of 17.4 percent over the same period.
But Pompa said funding for bilingual and English as a Second Language programs fell from $1.2 billion in 2009-10 to $949 million in 2011-12.
She added that English-language learners had an 18 percent passing rate on the 2012 statewide standardized test known as STAAR. Non-English-language learning students had 72 percent passing rates.
Over 600 school districts are suing Texas over the way it funds schools.
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Posted: 06/17/2013 - ARDMORE, Okla. —The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation announced the 2013-2014 recipients of the Sam Noble Scholarships this week, awarding $140,000 in scholarships to 10 southern Oklahoma students.
Posted: 06/13/2013 - DURANT, Okla. -- Southeastern Oklahoma State University has scheduled Camp SE for June 23-24, July 21-22 and July 28-29 on campus.
Updated: 06/10/2013 - (LEONARD,TEXAS) -- Leonard residents are worried that piles of tires sitting at a vacant service shop are attracting mosquitoes and endagering their health
