Summary

Nevada SB 58/Chapter 321 (Nevada State Legislature or Open States) revises provisions governing the manner in which distance education is provided.  This legislation allows eligible students to directly enroll in any distance learning programs without being required to obtain permission from their home district. It also allows for unlicensed employees to supervise distance education students.

Expands Course Access & Eligibility

This bill was originally proposed by the Clark County Schoogl District to provide greater flexibility with respect to distance education programs. Under current law, a student could only enroll in a distance education program under narrow circumstances (i.e. an alternative program for students at risk for dropping out, a student prohibited from attending school because of criminal or disruptive behavior, to take a course not offered by the student’s current high school).

Under the new legislation, all students may enroll in a distance education program unless the student fails to satisfy the standard conditions of enrollment. Existing law continues to classify students enrolled in a private school or homeschool as ineligible for enrollment in the state’s program of distance education.

Students will be allowed to enroll in any distance education courses, without restrictions based on courses offered at the student’s school.

A student must obtain permission from the school district before enrolling in a full-time distance education program.  However, if the student is eligible for the distance education program, the board of trustees will automatically grant permission.

The legislation removes the requirement that a student must obtain permission from their school district or charter school before enrolling in a part-time distance education program.

Funding for Course Access

Nevada allows full funding for students that are enrolled in distance education classes as part of their normal academic load. Classes outside of the normal class day can be taken either for acceleration or remediation. Districts do not generally charge for remediation but may charge for students to accelerate their studies

Expand Eligibility of Supervisors

Current law provided that an unlicensed employee of a school district be directly supervised by a licensed employee in instructional situations. This legislation grants an exception to the provisions for an unlicensed employee who is supervising distance education students when the students receive instruction from a licensed employee who is participating in the distance education program.

The legislation also requires unlicensed employees to submit to a background check.

Legislative History

Assembly Vote:    Yea= 40   Nays=0   Excused=2
Date:                     5/28/2013

Senate Vote:         Yea= 19   Nays=0   Excused=2
Date:                     5/18/2013

Detailed Legislative History: Legiscan | Open States

Signed by Governor Brian Sandoval (R) on 6/1/2013