Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Bilingual Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Perryton ISD reports bilingual program gains, plans waiver filings for teacher certification gaps
Summary
Director Angela Hamill said the district achieved full bilingual implementation through fifth grade, assessed 593 students last year with 36% categorized as emergent bilinguals; staff plan to file Nov. 1 exceptions/waivers for a small number of teachers lacking bilingual or ESL certification.
Perryton ISD told trustees the district has reached full implementation of its bilingual program through fifth grade while acknowledging staffing certifications remain a near-term challenge.
Angela Hamill, the district—s Director of Emergent Bilinguals (Speaker 15), presented the annual report and said the district assessed 593 students in 2024-25 and that approximately 36% of the district—s students are emergent bilinguals. She said 31% of those assessed grew one proficiency level last year, up from 27% the year before, and that 60 students were reclassified as English proficient after meeting state criteria.
Hamill told the board the district will file required documentation with the Texas Education Agency by Nov. 1 to request exceptions and waivers for teacher-certification shortfalls. She said six bilingual positions will be part of the exception/waiver filing and 17 ESL waiver cases will be included for this school year; the state expects a 25% annual reduction in waiver numbers, but the district does not expect to meet that target this year and will pursue targeted training and alternative certification pathways.
Hamill outlined supports the district plans to use, including an Alt Cert Academy for teachers pursuing alternative certification and individualized preparation for those eligible to test for ESL certification. Trustees thanked her for the report and invited them to visit bilingual and ESL classrooms to observe instructional practices.
The board did not take formal action on certification waivers during the meeting; the presentation was informational and included numeric outcomes and planned next steps for teacher certification.
