2017S0015-1 11/21/16
 
  By: Cosper H.B. No. 4170
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the state virtual school network.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 30A.101(c), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  A nonprofit entity, private entity, or corporation is
  eligible to act as a course provider under this chapter only if the
  nonprofit entity, private entity, or corporation:
               (1)  complies with all applicable federal and state
  laws prohibiting discrimination;
               (2)  demonstrates financial solvency; and
               (3)  provides evidence of prior successful experience
  offering online courses to kindergarten or elementary, middle, or
  high school students, with demonstrated student success in course
  completion and performance, as determined by the commissioner.
         SECTION 2.  Section 30A.104(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A course offered through the state virtual school
  network must:
               (1)  be in a specific subject that is part of the
  required curriculum under Section 28.002(a);
               (2)  be aligned with the essential knowledge and skills
  identified under Section 28.002(c) for a grade level at or above
  kindergarten [grade level three]; and
               (3)  be the equivalent in instructional rigor and scope
  to a course that is provided in a traditional classroom setting
  during:
                     (A)  a semester of 90 instructional days; and
                     (B)  a school day that meets the minimum length of
  a school day required under Section 25.082.
         SECTION 3.  Section 30A.151(f), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (f)  For a full-time electronic course program offered
  through the state virtual school network for a grade level at or
  above kindergarten [grade level three] but not above grade level
  eight, a school district or open-enrollment charter school is
  entitled to receive federal, state, and local funding for a student
  enrolled in the program in an amount equal to the funding the
  district or school would otherwise receive for a student enrolled
  in the district or school.  The district or school may calculate the
  average daily attendance of a student enrolled in the program based
  on:
               (1)  hours of contact with the student;
               (2)  the student's successful completion of a course;
  or
               (3)  a method approved by the commissioner.
         SECTION 4.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
  school year.
         SECTION 5.  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, 2017.