Title 49, Education

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require local education agencies to offer or participate in a virtual education program. Participation in a virtual education program by a student shall be at the discretion of the LEA in which the student is enrolled or zoned to atte…

This part shall be known and may be cited as the “Virtual Public Schools Act.”

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.

(1) As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) “Establisher” means an LEA; and(2) “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…

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.

(1) A virtual school shall provide each student enrolled in the school:(1) 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 c…

(1) For each family with a student enrolled, the virtual school shall:(1) Provide instructional materials; and(2) 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…

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…

Each teacher employed at a virtual school shall be qualified to teach in this state under existing law.

Nothing in this part shall preclude the use of computer-based and Internet-based instruction for students in a virtual or remote setting.

A virtual school shall maintain an administrative office within the state. This office shall be considered its principal place of business.

(a) 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 authoriz…

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.

(a) A virtual school shall be evaluated annually by its establisher based on the following criteria:(1) The extent to which the school demonstrates increases in student achievement according to the goals of its authorizing contract and state academic standards; and(2) The account…

(a) An establisher may contract for services with a nonprofit or for-profit provider for the operation and management of a virtual school. (b) The department of education shall maintain and publish on the department's website a list of providers that operated or managed a virtual…

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.

(a) (a) If a public school established under the jurisdiction of an LEA is a member of an organization or an association that regulates interscholastic athletic competition, and if such organization or association establishes or maintains eligibility requirements for virtual scho…