Bilingual Education

While in office, Carlos Truan was instrumental in sponsoring the Texas Bilingual Act in 1969, which provided Spanish instruction for non-English-speaking children. This legislation was groundbreaking because it was considered one of the first state bilingual acts in the country. It also marked a shift from a requirement implemented since 1918 that required English-only teaching. Therefore, because of his contributions to bilingual education, he is known as the "father of bilingual education "in Texas.

Senator Truan's contributions to bilingual education also led to the approval of Senate Bill 477 which was signed into legislation on June 12, 1981.  This bill required instruction for English language learners in school districts throughout elementary school and English as a second language (ESL) instruction at the high school level.