The bill amends Section 1002.37 of the Florida Statutes to revise the mission and operational framework of the Florida Virtual School (FLVS). It expands the school's mission to serve all students in the state, eliminating previous requirements to prioritize specific groups such as home education students and those in underserved areas. The bill grants the president and chief executive officer of FLVS the authority to request meetings with the board of trustees and approve certain expenditures. It also allows the school to seek supplemental funding from direct-support organizations and other sources, while revising the duties and authority of the board of trustees, including the removal of their power to adopt rules and procedures. Additionally, new definitions for "administrative personnel" and "instructional personnel" are introduced, clarifying employment classifications and benefits.

Furthermore, the bill updates the grade levels for which FLVS can provide instruction, now including students in kindergarten through grade 12 instead of just kindergarten through grade 5. It mandates that public school students receiving full-time instruction must take all required statewide assessments and participate in progress monitoring, while part-time students must take assessments for courses that require them. The bill also introduces provisions for international assessments, ensuring that all assessments are conducted at the school to which the student would be assigned. The Florida Virtual School will receive a school grade based on the performance of students receiving full-time instruction, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 885 Filed: 1002.37