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House education committee favors SB 308 to protect dual-language immersion college credit pathway
Summary
The committee voted unanimously to recommend Senate Bill 308, which clarifies assurances for dual language immersion students and sets requirements for upper-level concurrent enrollment language courses and instructors.
Senate Bill 308, amendments to the state's dual language immersion (DLI) program, won a unanimous favorable recommendation from the House Education Committee after sponsors and the program's original architect described the changes and answered clarifying questions.
The bill's sponsor noted that the Utah Legislature established the dual language immersion program in 2008 and that the program now serves about 50,000 students in roughly 330 schools. Howard Stevenson, who said he sponsored the original legislation, told the committee the bill's amendments are intended to "maintain our commitment to students and families by sustaining assurances and continuing this world class language program." Stevenson said the measure would ensure upper-level concurrent enrollment language courses count toward a major or minor, require qualified teachers at the high school level, allow an LEA to partner with a state institution outside a service area when necessary, and clarify that the normal service model is in-person instruction with synchronous online allowed in limited circumstances.
During committee questions Representative Moss asked how the bill could "require universities to do this"; Stevenson responded that "currently, they are volunteering to do it" but the amendment allows an LEA to partner with other concurrent-enrollment institutions when a qualified instructor is not available. Following a brief public comment period with no substantive opposition, Representative Ochs moved to adopt Senate Amendment 1. The committee adopted the amendment and Representative Auxier moved that the committee favorably recommend SB 308 as amended.
The committee voted to favorably recommend SB 308 as amended; the chair announced the motion passed unanimously. Sponsors and supporters emphasized the bill is intended to preserve prior assurances to DLI families who commit to long-term language study and to keep upper-division concurrent-enrollment language courses taught at the high school level.
