§ 49-16-201. Short Title. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
This part shall be known and may be cited as the “Virtual Public Schools Act.”
§ 49-16-202. Purpose. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
The purpose of this part is to provide an LEA with an alternative choice to offer additional educational resources in an effort to improve academic achievement.
§ 49-16-203. Part Definitions. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: “Establisher” means an LEA; and “Virtual school” means a public school in which the school uses technology in order to deliver a significant portion of instruction to its students via the internet in a virtual or remote setting.
§ 49-16-204. Establishment of Public School — Resources. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
Virtual schools may be established by an LEA. A virtual school shall be a public school and shall be provided resources as any other public school in the state.
§ 49-16-205. What Virtual School Will Provide Students. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
A virtual school shall provide each student enrolled in the school: Access to a sequential curriculum that meets or exceeds the academic standards adopted by the state board of education. The sequential curriculum shall have an interactive program with significant online components; The same length of time for learning opportunities per academic year that is […]
§ 49-16-206. What Virtual School Will Provide Families. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
For each family with a student enrolled, the virtual school shall: Provide instructional materials; and Ensure materials and access to necessary technology such as computer, printer and internet connection used for school work or, at minimum, through a physical computer lab that is available to the student through regularly scheduled times.
§ 49-16-207. No Assistance With Purchase of Instructional Programs or Materials — Reimbursement for Internet Connection. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
Virtual schools shall not provide assistance to students or families to purchase instructional programs or materials. Nothing in this section shall prohibit virtual schools from reimbursing families for costs associated with their internet connection for use in the virtual school program.
§ 49-16-208. Qualifications of Teachers. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
Each teacher employed at a virtual school shall be qualified to teach in this state under existing law.
§ 49-16-209. Computer-Based and Internet-Based Instruction. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
Nothing in this part shall preclude the use of computer-based and Internet-based instruction for students in a virtual or remote setting.
§ 49-16-210. Administrative Office as Principal Place of Business. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
A virtual school shall maintain an administrative office within the state. This office shall be considered its principal place of business.
§ 49-16-211. Enrollment. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
Any student who is eligible for enrollment in a public school in this state may enroll in a virtual school as either a full-time virtual school student or as a part-time virtual school student taking some of the student’s courses through the virtual school. An LEA is authorized to charge tuition to any person not […]
§ 49-16-212. Operation According to Educational Cooperation Act. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
In order to encourage collaboration among LEAs, a virtual school is authorized to operate according to the authority granted by the Educational Cooperation Act, compiled in chapter 2, part 13 of this title.
§ 49-16-213. Evaluation Criteria. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
A virtual school shall be evaluated annually by its establisher based on the following criteria: The extent to which the school demonstrates increases in student achievement according to the goals of its authorizing contract and state academic standards; and The accountability and viability of the virtual school, as demonstrated by its academic, fiscal and operational […]
§ 49-16-214. Contracting for Services. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
An establisher may contract for services with nonprofit and for-profit entities in the operation and management of the virtual school.
§ 49-16-215. Rules and Regulations. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
The state board of education shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this part. All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
§ 49-16-216. Part Repealer. [Effective Until June 30, 2023.]
This part is repealed effective June 30, 2023.