What’s in the bill?
SB 569 would provide policy structure for virtual and hybrid instruction while repealing a number of current laws surrounding the process, per a news release from Bettencourt’s office. According to the bill, it would not specifically make an appropriation for virtual schools but could "provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill."
According to the bill, students enrolled in a remote or hybrid dropout recovery program would be included in the calculation of a school district's average daily attendance, which impacts school funding. A fiscal note on the bill also states that under the bill, the Texas Education Agency would be required to provide grants and technical assistance to support the establishment of full-time hybrid or virtual campuses.
The bill includes the following, according to Bettencourt’s office:
- Allowing students to enroll in up to three individual virtual Advanced Placement courses, dual-credit courses or specialized electives that may not be available at their local school
- Providing flexibilities for work-based learning students
- Enabling high school students to earn an associate degree
- Preventing school districts from requiring virtual enrollment and from forcing in-person teachers to teach virtual classes without training
- Creating standards and accountability measures for virtual education providers
CISD officials at the board of trustees’ Feb. 9 meeting said the district's virtual school, which launched in 2022, had an uncertain future as its funding will expire this year following a waiver signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, as previously reported by Community Impact.
The virtual campus for district students in fifth through eighth grades began in the 2022-23 academic year, as previously reported by Community Impact. The virtual school was initially created by $1.5 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.
The virtual school offers fifth through 10th grades for the 2024-25 school year, according to its website. Students log into their homeroom each morning for a check-in, then attend Zoom classes throughout the day, according to CISD.
What they’re saying
CISD officials said the district is hopeful for a legislative solution to keep its virtual school intact.
- “We’re proud of the CISD Virtual School and the meaningful impact it’s had on its students and families. We appreciate any legislation that will codify the funding so we can continue to invest in and expand this resource for our community,” CISD Executive Director of Communications Sarah Blakelock said in an email.
- “As a school board trustee, I have seen firsthand how virtual learning has transformed the lives of students who thrive outside of the traditional classroom—whether due to medical needs, learning differences, bullying or other challenges," trustee Nicole May said in an email.
