Summary Alaska HB 65 (Open States or Alaska Legislature) is the state appropriations bill for the fiscal year 2013-2014. It allocates $1.1 million for Alaska’s Learning Network. Legislative Analysis AK HB 65 appropriates $1.1 million for Alaska’s Learning Network, a consortium partnering with all of Alaska’s school districts to offer high-quality online learning opportunities statewide….
Third Annual Digital Learning Report Card Coming Soon!
On March 13, 2014, Digital Learning Now will release its third annual Digital Learning Report Card, which measures and grades each state’s K-12 education policies against the 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning. The first Digital Learning Report Card was released in 2011 as part of the Roadmap for Reform, a comprehensive guide based…
7 Mar 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…
13 Feb 2014
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…
12 Feb 2014
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…
11 Feb 2014
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…
11 Feb 2014
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…
10 Feb 2014
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…
10 Feb 2014