HB 1299 - DIGEST

     Authorizes school districts to provide world language instruction to students who come from homes where the primary language is other than English.

     Authorizes school districts to provide instruction regarding the culture of the country from which the students' families emigrated.

     Directs school districts to encourage the active participation of members from appropriate ethnic communities in establishing and implementing the instructional program.

     Authorizes members of the ethnic communities to participate in the hiring of staff, and school districts are encouraged to appoint advisory councils to participate in curriculum development and other decisions pertaining to the instructional program.