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Title III

Title III Programming

Title III is a federal program that helps English learners and immigrant students become proficient in English and meet academic standards. It's also known as the Language Instruction for English Learner and Immigrant Students Act. 

Click here to visit the Texas Education Agency Title III Website

Components of Title III

  • Programs for EBs

Provide programs to help Emergent Bilingual students learn English and meet state academic standards 

  • Professional development

Provide training to teachers and school leaders to help them meet the needs of Emergent Bilingual students

  • Family and community engagement

Promote activities that involve parents, families, and communities in Emergent Bilingual programs 

  • Supplemental activities

Provide additional activities to support state-funded language instruction programs 

A graphic with two hands reaching towards each other, representing engagement, with the text 'Title III ENGAGEMENT' and 'T3 Engagement Series'. 

As part of Title III Initiatives, the TEA Emergent Bilingual Support Division hosts virtual events that provide valuable information to attendees from presenters at the top of their fields across the state of Texas. The sessions are offered in multiple languages. Click on the above for information about the virtual events and to  access the recordings.

An illustration depicting a bridge labeled 'Title III, Part A' connecting 'ELs and/or Immigrant Students' to 'English proficiency' and 'Mastery of academic subjects'. 

  • An Emergent Bilingual (EB) student is a student who is in the process of acquiring English and has another language as the primary language. The term emergent bilingual student replaced the term English learner in the Texas Education Code 29, Subchapter B after the September 1, 2021, update.

     

    Why is the term used instead of English Learner (EL) or English Language Learner (ELL)?

    • It's a positive term that emphasizes that both languages are valuable. 
    • It's an asset-based term that focuses on the potential for bilingualism. 
    • It encourages schools to celebrate linguistic diversity. 

  • In reference to Title III, Part A, the phrase "immigrant children and youth" refers to individuals that meet all three of the following criteria:

    • Are aged 3 through 21;
    • Were not born in any State*; and
    • Have not been attending one or more schools in any one or more States for more than three full academic years.**

     

    Note:  The three full academic years need not be consecutive. LEAs are responsible for reviewing and tracking the number of years immigrant students have attended schools in the U.S. The immigrant status from the permanent record must be removed once the three years in U.S. schools requirement has been met.

    • Ensure that English learners and immigrant students meet the same academic standards as other students. 
    • Help English learners and immigrant students develop high academic achievement in English. 

    • For professional learning, family engagement, and supplemental instructional materials
    • For coaches and professional development specialists
    • For extended-day or extended-year instructional supports
    • To supplement state language instruction programs