The bill amends sections of Florida Statutes related to virtual instruction programs and dropout retrieval programs. It revises the assessment and accountability requirements for virtual instruction program providers, specifying that these providers must receive a school grade or school improvement rating based on the assessment scores of students served within each school district they contract with. Notably, a virtual instruction program provider that operates exclusively as a dropout retrieval program is exempt from the district grade requirement. The bill also mandates that the Florida Department of Education publish the school grades or improvement ratings for these providers on its website.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection defining dropout retrieval programs as serving students who have officially withdrawn from high school and are not currently engaged in the education system. Each dropout retrieval program is required to choose whether to receive a school grade or a school improvement rating. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1402 Filed: 1008.34
S 1402 c1: 1002.45
S 1402 c2: 1002.45
S 1402 er: 1002.45