HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2047        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1960

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Martha M. Walz

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to virtual public schools.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2047        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1960

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act relative to virtual public schools.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide expanded learning opportunities for students, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Section 92 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in section 8 of chapter 12 of the acts of 2010, is hereby amended by inserting, after the word “regulations” in clause (iv) of subsection e, the following:-

, consistent with subsection (q),

SECTION 2.  Said section 92 of chapter 71, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, after subsection (p), the following subsection:

(q) Students enrolling in an Innovation School operated by a district other than their district of residence that provides instruction through distance learning, including online learning programs and courses, shall be funded as provided in section 12B of chapter 76.   The department of elementary and secondary education and the board of elementary and secondary education are prohibited from adopting any regulation or policy which would either restrict or mandate the enrollment of any eligible student in an Innovation School that is a virtual public school, including any cap on enrollment or other mandates on the enrollment composition of an Innovation School that is a virtual public school. 

SECTION 3. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 93 the following section:-

Section 94.

(a) As used in this section, the following terms shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

“Proctored environment.” An environment directly monitored by a teacher or administrative staff employed by an online learning provider or by an adult authorized by the program or as set forth in Chapter 69, Section 1.

“Virtual public school.”  A virtual public school is a public school that provides instruction to students all or in-part through the use of technology, the internet, or other synchronous and asynchronous methods where the student and teacher may be separated geographically.  A virtual public school shall be consider a public school for purposes of Chapter 76, Section 12B(b) and entitled to receive all funds due a public school under that section. 

(b) A school district may establish a virtual public school, provided it meets the following requirements: (i) Ensures that each course offered for a unit of credit is aligned with applicable state-adopted academic standards; (ii) Requires all instructional staff to hold a valid teaching license in the content area being taught; (iii) Employs an instructional model able to verify ongoing student attendance, progress, and performance in each course; (iv) Requires administrators, teachers and other educational staff providing instructional services to the virtual school to comply with the criminal history record check requirements as set forth in section 38R; and (v) Provides, where appropriate and as determined by district policy, each household having a full-time student enrolled in the school with:

     (A) All equipment necessary for students, including, but not limited to, a computer, computer monitor, and printer; and

     (B) Access to or reimbursement for all Internet services necessary for online delivery of instruction. 

(c) A virtual school shall not be subject to chapter 30B for the purpose of contracting with another person that shall manage or operate the school.

(d) Full-time students enrolled in a virtual public school are considered to have met the compulsory attendance requirement set forth in section 1G of chapter 69 and section 1 of chapter 71.  Student work through distance learning accomplished during the summer may count for meeting attendance and credit requirements.  School districts may enroll students on a full-time or part-time basis.  Subject to school district policy and statutory requirements, a kindergarten to grade 12 student residing in the commonwealth who is 24 years of age or younger is eligible to enroll.  Students enrolling in a virtual public school in a district other than their district of residence shall be funded as provided for in section12B of chapter 76.  The department of elementary and secondary education and the board of elementary and secondary education are prohibited from adopting any regulation or policy which would either restrict or mandate the enrollment of any eligible student in a virtual public school.

(e) Students enrolled in a virtual public school shall participate in any applicable state assessments in a proctored environment.

(f) School districts may establish agreements to access online learning courses offered by other districts.  Nothing within this chapter shall constitute a limitation on a school district to contract for online learning programs and courses. 

(g) Nothing in this Act shall limit the authority of a school district to establish agreements for the employment of teachers in a virtual public school.

(h) A district establishing a virtual public school which opens during 2010 through 2015 shall provide the department of elementary and secondary education an annual report that includes, but is not limited to, the following information: (i) Programs and courses: A list of the programs and courses offered through the virtual public school; (ii) Students: The number and type of students participating on a full-time or part-time basis, including grade-levels, English language learners, special education students, students eligible for the free and reduced lunch program, race, and national orgin; (iii) Student performance: For full-time students, academic performance data, including data from state assessments; (iv) Expenditures: Expenditures of state funds associated with the virtual public; and (v) Other information the district may choose to provide regarding the operation and performance of the school.

(i) Beginning on December 31, 2012 the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall submit to the joint committee on education an annual report that contains the information required under subsection (h), any recommendations to expand the availability and enhance the quality of distance learning, and any proposed legislation necessary to further the implementation of this Act. Following receipt and review of the report, the joint committee on education may submit a bill.