The bill amends the Public School Finance Act to establish new requirements for school districts and charter schools regarding distance learning programs. It mandates these institutions to report estimates of students expected to enroll in distance learning and maintain specific records related to these students. Notably, the bill excludes the membership of distance learning students from calculations for size adjustment program units. The existing Statewide Cyber Academy Act is renamed the "Distance Learning Act," introducing new definitions while removing outdated terms. The legislation clarifies requirements for distance learning programs, particularly for students with disabilities, and mandates evaluations of these programs by the Public Education Department.

Additionally, the bill outlines responsibilities for school districts and charter schools offering full-time distance learning, including compliance with instructional hours and student privacy laws. It emphasizes that courses must be taught by licensed educators and meet academic standards. Key provisions require institutions to maintain records of expenditures related to their programs and certify sufficient course offerings before expanding to additional grade levels. The bill also mandates accessibility of instructional materials for individuals with disabilities and introduces a requirement for the department to evaluate all full-time distance learning programs every five years. Temporary provisions affecting specific enrollment metrics and a comprehensive study on virtual instruction are included, with an effective date set for July 1, 2026, highlighting the urgency for immediate implementation for public health and safety reasons.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-8-2, 22-8-12.1, 22-8-13, 22-30-1, 22-30-2, 22-30-3, 22-30-4, 22-30-5, 22-30-6, 22-30-7, 22-30-8
EC substitute: 22-8-2, 22-8-12.1, 22-8-13, 22-30-1, 22-30-2, 22-30-3, 22-30-4, 22-30-5, 22-30-6, 22-30-7, 22-30-8
Final Version: 22-8-2, 22-8-12.1, 22-8-23.1, 22-30-1, 22-30-3, 22-30-4, 22-30-5, 22-30-6, 22-30-7, 22-30-8