12.05.99.R0.01 Assistance to Faculty Whose Primary Language Is Not English

Effective: September 1, 1996

Supplements System Policy: System Policy 12.05

1. The following regulations and procedures shall apply to Texas A&M University-Commerce (A&M-Commerce):

a. The vice president for academic affairs shall develop and implement a program or short course to assist faculty members whose primary language is not English. This program shall be submitted for approval to the Chancellor and updated as changes are made.

b. The program will be implemented in three phases as follows:

(1) Identification. As of Fall of 1990, all faculty are required to identify their primary language. The primary language of new faculty will be determined at the time of employment. All faculty whose primary language is not English shall be required to pass a test of spoken and written English.

(2) Formal English Language Assessment. Faculty who report a language other than English as their primary language will be required to take the SPEAK test (or similar test approved by the Coordinating Board) and a written expression test as determined by the university. The faculty member shall bear the cost of this testing. Faculty whose test scores fall below the 50th percentile will be required to enroll in an English remediation program.

(3) English Language Remediation Program. Faculty members may participate in remediation by either (a) enrolling in English 589 Independent Study with an A&M-Commerce English teacher, or (b) employing their own teacher. The remediation program will be tailored to the needs of each faculty member. Each remediation teacher shall submit a plan to Academic Affairs. After completion of the program, the faculty member must score at or above the 50th percentile on the Overall Comprehensibility portion of the SPEAK test, or a similar test, prior to assuming classroom teaching duties.

2. Notwithstanding this procedure, a faculty member may use a foreign language to conduct foreign language courses designed to be taught in a foreign language.

3. This procedure does not prevent a faculty member from providing individual assistance during course instruction to a non-English speaking student in the native language of the student.

References: HB 638, 71st Legislature; Sec. 51.917, Texas Education Code, Prior ETSU Policies II N 15 approved August 1989; revised July 26, 1990; Procedure A12.04

Primary Language Reporting Form

The following information is being gathered in compliance with Sec. 51.917, Texas Education Code, passed by the Texas Legislature in May, 1989. Sec. 51.917 requires all instructional staff to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Instructional staff who report a primary language other than English are required to pass a test of spoken English.

Name: ___________________________________________________

Department: _______________________________________________

Mark as many of the following statements as apply:

English is the only language I speak: _____Yes _____No

Other than English, I speak the following languages: (add additional lines as necessary)

a.____________________ c.______________________

b.____________________ d.______________________

___________________________is my primary language, i.e., the language I feel most comfortable speaking.*

__________________________________ ______________
Signature Date

Return original to: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office
*Return one copy to: Assessment Office if English is not primary language

updated 3/2000

Contact for Interpretation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs