88R1432 CXP-D
 
  By: Jetton H.B. No. 1678
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a local remote learning program offered by a public
  school for certain students at risk of dropping out of school.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 29.9092 to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.9092.  LOCAL REMOTE LEARNING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AT
  RISK OF DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL. (a) A school district or
  open-enrollment charter school may operate a local remote learning
  program to offer virtual courses outside the state virtual school
  network under Chapter 30A to eligible students at risk of dropping
  out of school.
         (b)  A virtual course offered under the local remote learning
  program must:
               (1)  be provided through asynchronous instruction; and
               (2)  provide for at least the same number of
  instructional hours as required for a course offered in a program
  that meets the required minimum number of minutes of operation
  under Section 25.081.
         (c)  A student is eligible to enroll in a virtual course
  offered under a local remote learning program if:
               (1)  the student is:
                     (A)  enrolled at the high school level at a school
  district or open-enrollment charter school; and
                     (B)  a student at risk of dropping out of school,
  as defined by Section 29.081; and
               (2)  the district or school at which the student is
  enrolled determines under Subsection (d)(2) that participation in
  the program is suitable for the student.
         (d)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  that operates a local remote learning program shall develop a
  process to:
               (1)  identify students who are potentially eligible to
  enroll in a virtual course offered under the program; and
               (2)  screen students identified under Subdivision (1)
  to ensure that participation in the program is suitable for the
  student based on the student's academic needs and access to
  necessary technology.
         (e)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  may, but is not required to, provide technological equipment to
  students who enroll in a virtual course offered under a local remote
  learning program operated under this section.
         (f)  A student enrolled in a virtual course offered under a
  local remote learning program operated under this section shall be
  counted toward the school district's or open-enrollment charter
  school's average daily attendance in the same manner as other
  district or school students. The commissioner shall adopt rules
  providing for a method of taking attendance, once each school day,
  for students enrolled in a virtual course offered under a local
  remote learning program operated under this section.
         (g)  Chapter 30A does not apply to a virtual course offered
  under a local remote learning program operated under this section.
         (h)  This section does not prohibit a student enrolled in a
  school district or open-enrollment charter school that operates a
  local remote learning program under this section from enrolling in
  courses offered through the state virtual school network under
  Chapter 30A.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2023.