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 1514 is a budget conforming bill.  Generally, conforming bills are used to align applicable statutes to the General Appropriations Act.  As it specifically pertains to virtual learning, the bill:

• Authorizes school districts and virtual charter schools to provide virtual courses for a student in the summer for course completion when the student does not complete the virtual course by the end of the regular school year.
• Authorizes school districts and virtual charter schools to provide virtual courses for a student in the summer for credit recovery when a student has unsuccessfully completed a traditional or virtual education course during the regular school year and must re-take the course in order to be eligible to graduate with the student’s class.
• Limits credits earned through the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) to 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE).
• Requires FLVS trustees to provide information for activities within the state, outside the state, and for Florida Virtual School Global.
• Allows full-time and part-time school district virtual instruction programs.
• Removes limitations to students taking virtual courses in another school district.
• Requires school districts and the FLVS to use a common student identifier to ensure that funding and FTE can be accurately distributed to all providers of student instruction and authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules for this provision.
• Provides that courses delivered by the Florida Virtual School on a public school campus shall be reported only by the school district in which the student is enrolled.
• Provides funding for home education students to take courses with FLVS, upon course completion, if the parent verifies, upon enrollment for each course, that the student is registered with the school district  as a home education student.
• Clarifies the role and responsibility of the Florida Virtual Campus to provide online academic support services, resources, and access to distance learning courses offered by the state’s public postsecondary education institutions.
• Requires the department to publish by October 1, 2013, minimum and recommended technology requirements necessary for students to access electronic and digital instructional materials.

This legislation supports digital learning by increasing flexibility for enrolling in virtual courses, clarifying the reporting and funding processes, and supporting the study of student’s technology needs.

Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan |  Open States

Approved by Governor Rick Scott on 5/20/2013