Sec. 51.917. FACULTY MEMBERS; USE OF ENGLISH. (a) In this section:

(1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003 of this code, but does not include a medical or dental unit.

(2) "Faculty member" means a person who teaches a course offered for academic credit by an institution of higher education, including teaching assistants, instructors, lab assistants, research assistants, lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors.

(3) "Governing board" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003 of this code.

(b) The governing board of each institution of higher education shall establish a program or a short course the purpose of which is to:

(1) assist faculty members whose primary language is not English to become proficient in the use of English; and

(2) ensure that courses offered for credit at the institution are taught in the English language and that all faculty members are proficient in the use of the English language, as determined by a satisfactory grade on the "Test of Spoken English" of the Educational Testing Service or a similar test approved by the board.

(c) A faculty member may use a foreign language to conduct foreign language courses designed to be taught in a foreign language.

(d) This section does not prohibit a faculty member from providing individual assistance during course instruction to a non-English-speaking student in the native language of the student.

(e) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1083, Sec. 25(15), eff. June 17, 2011.

(f) The cost of such English proficiency course as determined by the coordinating board shall be paid by the faculty member lacking proficiency in English. A faculty member must take the course until deemed proficient in English by his or her supervisor. The cost will be deducted from said faculty member's salary.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 975, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1083 (S.B. 1179), Sec. 25(15), eff. June 17, 2011.