February 2014

Archives for February 2014

In Plain English: FL SB 1514

Summary SB 1514 (Open States or Florida Legislature) is a budget conforming bill that addresses issues relevant to virtual schools and online courses, among others. It amends specific statutory provisions related to education necessary to conform the statutes to the appropriations made in the General Appropriations Act for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. Legislative Analysis SB…

In Plain English: IL HB 494

Summary Illinois HB 494 (Open States or Illinois Legislature) places a one year moratorium on the establishment of charter schools with virtual-schooling components in all school districts except for Chicago. The moratorium is in place from April 1, 2013 until April 1, 2014. It does not apply to such charter schools existing or approved prior…

In Plain English: MT HB 210

Summary Montana HB 210 (Open States or Montana Legislature) appropriates $300,000 from the general fund to the Office of Public Instruction for the Montana Digital Academy, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. This funding was necessary to cover expenses associated with greater than projected enrollments. Legislative Analysis HB 210 appropriates $300,000 from the…

In Plain English: WA HB 1472

Summary Washington HB 1472 (Open States or Washington Legislature) requires high schools to approve AP computer science courses to be counted towards math and science requirements for graduation. Legislative Analysis Even though nearly 65,000 Washington students enrolled in high school computer science courses in 2011-2012, fewer than 1200 enrolled in AP computer science courses. This…

In Plain English: UT SB 82

Summary SB 82 (Open States or Utah Legislature) created the first “Student Data Backpack,” providing access to parents, guardians and authorized LEA users to the learning profile of a K-12 student in a secure electronic format called the “Student Achievement Backpack.” It consolidates data currently collected on the student into the Utah Student Record Store…

In Plain English: FL SB 1500

Summary SB 1500 (Open States or Florida Legislature), the General Appropriations Act, establishes Florida’s budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.  There are several provisions in the budget relating to digital learning, however, two of those provisions were vetoed by Governor Rick Scott. Legislative Analysis SB 1500 establishes Florida’s budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year and…

In Plain English: MO HB 2

Summary Missouri HB 2 (Open States or Missouri Legislature) appropriates funds to the state Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Fiscal Year 2014. Legislative Analysis HB 2 appropriates funds to the state Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Fiscal Year 2014. Relevant appropriations include:…

In Plain English: LA HB 1

Summary Louisiana HB 1 (Open States or Louisiana Legislature) is the state’s budget for the fiscal year (FY) 2013-14. This bill protected the Louisiana Course Choice program by finding alternative means of funding the program after the Supreme Court ruled the original funding method was unconstitutional.  It invests an additional $69 million in K-12 education,…