Virtual School Bill Voted Out of House Committee

House Bill 1275:
http://www.house.mo.gov/bills061/bills/hb1275.htm

Senate Bill 912:
http://www.senate.mo.gov/06info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=39062

House Bill 1275 sponsored by Rep. Brian Baker was heard by the Special Committee On Student Achievement and Finance on Tuesday Feb. 14th. HCS HB 1275 was voted "do pass" by a vote of 8 to 0.

This bill would require the State Board of Education to establish a virtual school by July 1, 2007. The school would be open to any student in kindergarten through grade 12 who lives within the state. Students could enroll in some classes in a virtual school while still attending the public school where they reside. They would be limited to earning a total of six credits per regular term for the purposes of state aid, but they could enroll in additional courses on a tuition or fee basis. The committee changed the requirement that a pupil enrolled in a virtual school must also be enrolled in the public school district in which they reside. The committee changes make it the choice of the pupil's parent or guardian. If the student is not included in the resident districts enrollment then the resident district will not receive any state aid for that student. When the student is enrolled in the resident district that district will receive 15% of the state aid it would normally receive for that student through the funding formula and the Classroom Trust Fund. Subject to appropriations each year the virtual school will receive 85% of the state adequacy target attributable to the student.

The virtual school would have to report to the district of residence the name, address, eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch, limited English proficiency status, special education needs, and the number of courses in which the pupil is enrolled. The virtual school would have to comply with all state laws and regulations applicable to school districts, including but not limited to the Missouri School Improvement Program, adequate yearly progress, annual performance report, teacher certification and curriculum standards.

MSBA testified in support of HB 1275 because it would create additional opportunities for students who may be homebound or have dropped out or are desiring classes not available in their local schools, while holding virtual schools to the same accountability standards as regular public schools. MSBA expressed opposition to the provision of the substitute that could take away the 15% of state funding that the resident district would receive for virtual school students.

Also testifying for the bill were DESE, MNEA. MSTA, MFT. MCSA testified for information only. There was no opposition.
The senate version of this legislation, Senate Bill 912 sponsored by Senator Jack Goodman, will be heard by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m. in Senate Committee Room 1.