The Florida Senate

The bill removes priority access to the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) for students who need expanded access to courses, are seeking accelerated access in order to earn a high school diploma one semester early or are children of an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces, to reflect the FLVS’s capacity to serve all students.

FLVS Governance

The bill authorizes the FLVS president and chief executive officer to request a meeting of the FLVS Board of Trustees (board), rather than limiting that authority to the board chair or board membership. The bill authorizes the board to enter into contracts with other public and private entities and government agencies, rather than limiting the board to franchise agreements with school districts. In addition, the bill aligns the definition of instructional and administrative personnel at the FLVS with current law for K-12 public school personnel and removes board authority to reject such personnel from employment for cause. Finally, the bill requires, rather than authorizes, FLVS employees, except for temporary, seasonal, and student employees, to be state employees for the purpose of eligibility to participate in the Florida Retirement System.

FLVS funding

The bill clarifies the current practice of including grade 6-12 part-time students to full-time equivalent (FTE) student calculations so that all full-time and part-time FLVS students are included in such FTE student calculations. The bill authorizes the FLVS to accrue revenue from a direct-support organization, and requires that expenditures from all supplemental funds be contingent upon review and approval by the FLVS president and chief executive officer.

FLVS Annual Report

The bill requires the FLVS to report only on the operations and accomplishments of the FLVS and deletes the reporting requirements for the FLVS and FLVS Global related to the marketing and operational plan, assets and liabilities, recommendations regarding the unit cost of providing services to students, and recommendations regarding an accountability mechanism to assess the effectiveness of the services provided.

Assessment Requirements

The bill requires a school district to provide a test administrator when a student from the FLVS is participating in required statewide assessments, the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system, industry certification examinations, and national assessments at the assigned school.

If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor's signature, these provisions take effect on July 1, 2026.

Vote: Senate 39-0; House 110-2