83R8768 JSL-F

By: Harper-Brown H.B. No. 3155

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the expansion of the state virtual school network.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 30A.002(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A student is eligible to enroll full-time in courses provided through the state virtual school network only if the student:

(1) was eligible to enroll [enrolled] in a public school in this state in the preceding school year; or

(2) has been placed in substitute care in this state, regardless of whether the student was eligible to enroll [enrolled] in a public school in this state in the preceding school year.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 30A, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 30A.008 to read as follows:

Sec. 30A.008. STATEWIDE POLICY ON ELECTRONIC COURSES. The commissioner shall adopt and implement a plan that promotes and provides incentives for the expansion of the state virtual school network. The plan must provide for:

(1) an increase in the number of provider school districts or schools;

(2) an increase in the number and types of courses that are offered through the state virtual school network; and

(3) increased availability and access to the state virtual school network for students across this state.

SECTION 3. Section 30A.101(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A school district or an open-enrollment charter school campus is eligible to act as a provider school district or school under this chapter only if the district or campus is rated acceptable [or higher] under Section 39.054.

SECTION 4. Section 30A.107(c), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) A student who resides in this state but who is not enrolled in a school district or open-enrollment charter school in this state as a full-time student may, subject to Section 30A.155, enroll in electronic courses through the state virtual school network. A student to whom this subsection applies:

(1) [may not in any semester enroll in more than two electronic courses offered through the state virtual school network;

[(2)] is not considered to be a public school student;

(2) [(3)] must obtain access to a course provided through the network through the school district or open-enrollment charter school attendance zone in which the student resides;

(3) [(4)] is not entitled to enroll in a course offered by a school district or open-enrollment charter school other than an electronic course provided through the network; and

(4) [(5)] is not entitled to any right, privilege, activities, or services available to a student enrolled in a public school, other than the right to receive the appropriate unit of credit for completing an electronic course.

SECTION 5. Section 30A.155, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may [shall] charge a fee for enrollment in an electronic course provided through the state virtual school network to a student who resides in this state and is not enrolled in a school district or open-enrollment charter school as a full-time student.

(b-1) A school district shall charge a fee for enrollment in an electronic course provided through the state virtual school network to a student who does not reside in the district and is not enrolled in a school district or open-enrollment charter school as a full-time student.

(c) The amount of a fee charged a student under Subsection (a), (a-1), [or] (b), or (b-1) for each electronic course in which the student enrolls through the state virtual school network may not exceed the lesser of:

(1) the cost of providing the course; or

(2) $400.

SECTION 6. Section 30A.101(b), Education Code, as amended by Chapters 895 (H.B. 3) and 1328 (H.B. 3646), Acts of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, is repealed.

SECTION 7. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

SECTION 8. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.