The bill amends the State School Aid Act of 1979, specifically section 21f, to establish guidelines for the enrollment of eligible pupils in virtual courses offered by primary districts. It mandates that a primary district can only enroll a pupil in virtual courses that are included in its catalog of board-approved courses or the statewide catalog maintained by the Michigan Virtual University. Additionally, it stipulates that pupils under 18 must have parental consent to enroll in virtual courses that meet for more than 15 days in a school year. The bill allows primary districts to enroll pupils in up to two virtual courses per academic term, with the possibility of more if deemed in the pupil's best interest.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the conditions under which a primary district may deny a pupil's enrollment in a virtual course, such as if the pupil is in grades K-5, has previously earned credits for the course, or has not met prerequisite requirements. It also requires that if a pupil is denied enrollment, the district must provide written notification and an appeal process. The bill includes provisions for the responsibilities of course providers, including ensuring that courses generate academic credit and assigning a mentor to each pupil enrolled in virtual courses. The primary district is responsible for funding these courses, capped at a specific percentage of the foundation allowance.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 388.1621