Downloads
CS/CS/HB 7063 — Digital Learning
by Education Committee; PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee; K-20 Innovation Subcommittee; and Rep. Stargel and others (CS/CS/SB 1402 by Budget Subcommittee on Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations; Education Pre-K – 12 Committee; and Senator Gardiner)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Education Pre-K - 12 Committee (ED)
The bill provides additional virtual instruction options for K-12 students by:
· Authorizing the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) to provide full-time and part-time instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 12;
· Limiting the combined total of all full time equivalent (FTE) students reported by the FLVS and the school district to 1.0 FTE for full-time students in kindergarten through grade 12 and part-time students in kindergarten through grade 5;
· Authorizing exceptional student education (ESE), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and other weighted program funding for students in a full-time FLVS, district virtual instruction program, and a virtual charter school;
· Expanding the part-time district virtual instruction program to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 courses;
· Expanding eligibility for participation in virtual education programs to students in grades 2 through 5 who are enrolled in a full-time virtual program without having to meet the prior public school enrollment requirement;
· Providing that school district virtual instruction must be reported by the school district providing the instruction rather than the school district in which the student resides;
· Prohibiting a school district from requiring a student to take the online course required for high school graduation beyond the school day or in addition to the student’s courses for the semester;
· Providing an exception from the current online course requirement for high school graduation for a student with a disability whose individual education plan indicates that an online course is not appropriate or for a student enrolled in a Florida high school for one academic year or less;
· Establishing that an individual who knowingly and willingly takes an online course or examination on behalf of another individual for compensation commits a second degree misdemeanor;
· Revising the qualifications for approval of virtual instruction providers to include an annual audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant pursuant to rules adopted by the Auditor General;
· Requiring full time virtual instruction programs to meet the school district requirements for public school ESE students who are enrolled in the program; and
· Providing standards for participation in interscholastic and intrascholastic extracurricular activities by students in a full-time FLVS program.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2012
Vote: Senate 36-3; House 100-16