By King of Parker H.B. No. 3131
77R7014 BDH-F
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to a virtual classroom program for certain public school
1-3 students.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-6 Subchapter J to read as follows:
1-7 SUBCHAPTER J. VIRTUAL CLASSROOM PROGRAM
1-8 Sec. 29.351. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
1-9 (1) "Interactive multimedia communications" means
1-10 real-time, interactive voice, video, and data communications
1-11 conducted over networks that link geographically dispersed
1-12 locations.
1-13 (2) "Program" means a virtual classroom program
1-14 described by this subchapter.
1-15 Sec. 29.352. AUTHORITY. A school district may implement a
1-16 program for students enrolled in grade levels 6 through 12.
1-17 Sec. 29.353. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. A student is eligible to
1-18 participate in a program if the student:
1-19 (1) is eligible to attend school under Section 25.001;
1-20 and
1-21 (2) has successfully completed fifth grade.
1-22 Sec. 29.354. ATTENDANCE AND FUNDING. (a) Sections
1-23 25.081(a), 25.082(a), 25.085(a), and 25.092(a) do not apply to a
1-24 school district offering a program or to a student enrolled in a
2-1 program, provided that a student successfully completes each
2-2 program course not later than the end of the grading period for
2-3 that course, as determined by the district.
2-4 (b) Subject to rules adopted by the commissioner, a student
2-5 enrolled in a program may be counted for attendance purposes in the
2-6 same manner as a student enrolled in regular classes in the
2-7 district.
2-8 Sec. 29.355. EXTENDED-YEAR PROGRAM. A school district
2-9 offering a program may operate the program on an extended-year
2-10 basis for a period not to exceed 45 additional instructional days.
2-11 The district's average daily attendance shall be computed for the
2-12 regular school year plus the extended period.
2-13 Sec. 29.356. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. Notwithstanding any
2-14 other provision of this code, a school district that offers a
2-15 program must:
2-16 (1) ensure that the program curriculum complies with
2-17 Section 28.002;
2-18 (2) use accredited Internet courses, as determined by
2-19 the district;
2-20 (3) for each course in the program, provide students
2-21 with interactive multimedia communications between the student and
2-22 the course instructor;
2-23 (4) require that each student enrolled in a program
2-24 course successfully complete the course not later than the end of
2-25 the grading period for that course, as determined by the district;
2-26 (5) administer each assessment instrument required
2-27 under Subchapter B, Chapter 39, to students enrolled in the
3-1 program;
3-2 (6) establish graduation requirements for students
3-3 enrolled in the program that are consistent with rules adopted
3-4 under Section 28.025; and
3-5 (7) assess student competency in the program.
3-6 Sec. 29.357. AGENCY OVERSIGHT. Using state funds
3-7 appropriated for that purpose, the agency shall monitor, evaluate,
3-8 and assess the development and implementation of each program
3-9 adopted under this subchapter.
3-10 SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
3-11 school year.
3-12 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
3-13 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
3-14 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
3-15 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
3-16 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.