A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish a commission to study the implementation of a structured english immersion program in the North Carolina public schools.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Establishment. – There is established a Commission to Study the Implementation of a Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program in the North Carolina Public Schools (Commission). For the purposes of this act, "structured English immersion" means an English language acquisition process for students in which nearly all classroom instruction is in English but with the curriculum and presentation designed for students who are learning the language. Books and instructional materials are in English and all reading, writing, and subject matter are taught in English. Although teachers may use a minimal amount of the student's native language when necessary, no subject matter shall be taught in any language other than English, and students in this program learn to read and write solely in English. This educational methodology represents the standard definition of "structured English" found in educational literature.
SECTION 1.(b)  Membership. – The Commission shall be composed of 16 members, as follows:
(1)	Eight members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:
a.	Four persons who are members of the House of Representatives at the time of appointment.
b.	A representative of the Department of Public Instruction.
c.	A representative from an institution of higher learning with a master's degree or higher teacher education program in English as a Second Language.
d.	A school principal, as recommended by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators.
e.	A representative of the North Carolina English Teachers' Association.
(2)	Eight members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:
a.	Four persons who are members of the Senate at the time of appointment.
b.	A representative of the State Board of Education.
c.	A representative from the North Carolina Conference of English Instructors.
d.	A school system superintendent, as recommended by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators.
e.	A local school board member, as recommended by the North Carolina School Boards Association.
The Commission shall have two cochairs, one designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from among their appointees. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. A quorum of the Commission shall be a majority of the members.
SECTION 1.(c)  Duties. – The Commission shall make recommendations on whether to implement a structured English immersion (SEI) program for English language learners in the North Carolina public schools. In developing recommendations, the Commission shall examine at least all of the following:
(1)	Student performance data and outcomes for the English as a Second Language (ESL) program currently utilized in the North Carolina public schools.
(2)	ESL programs in other states, including the SEI programs currently employed in Arizona, Massachusetts, and California.
(3)	Cost and feasibility of implementing SEI in North Carolina public schools, including at least the following factors:
a.	Administrative oversight of the program within the Department of Public Instruction.
b.	Funding methods.
c.	Professional development for teachers and school administrators.
d.	The implementation of SEI in local school administrative units and charter schools.
e.	Identification of English language learners for participation in the program.
g.	Potential waivers from participation in the program for certain students and related procedures to attain waivers.
h.	Enforcement in the local school administrative units.
i.	Assessment methods to measure progress and effectiveness of the program.
SECTION 1.(d)  Compensation; Administration. – Members of the Commission shall receive subsistence and travel allowances at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate. With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Task Force, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Commission may hold its meetings in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Commission may also meet at various locations around the State in order to promote greater public participation in its deliberations. The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them and the power to subpoena witnesses.
SECTION 1.(e)  Report. – The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than March 15, 2014. The Commission shall terminate upon the filing of its final report.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.