The bill amends section 1002.37 of the Florida Statutes, which governs the Florida Virtual School (FLVS), by removing provisions that prioritized certain students for admission, thereby allowing FLVS to serve all students who meet the profile for success. It mandates that both parents and students be informed about the opportunities offered by FLVS and grants sovereign immunity to FLVS officers, employees, and the board of trustees. The bill also allows the president and CEO of FLVS to call board meetings, requires the board to allocate specific funds to support the school's mission, and authorizes contracts with other educational institutions and government agencies. Additionally, it classifies certain employees as state employees eligible for the Florida Retirement System and removes the executive director's authority to override proposed expenditures.

Further changes include the requirement for all assessments, including international assessments, to be available to FLVS students, specifying that these assessments must be taken at the school assigned based on district school board attendance areas unless an alternative site is agreed upon. The bill mandates that school districts provide students with access to testing facilities, a test administrator, and schedules for progress monitoring and assessments. Notably, the language changes include the insertion of "international assessments" and the requirement that school districts "shall" provide access, replacing the previous wording of "must." The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1122 Filed: 1002.51