This bill establishes a private online course choice program. This bill: - establishes standards for educational software and hardware procurement; - removes references to a contractor from the Statewide Online Education Program statute; - creates an online course choice program specifically for private school students; - requires the program be administered by an independent program manager contracted by the State Board of Education; - allows eligible students to earn credits through online courses, including courses in blended-learning environments; - establishes a contract administrator role to oversee program implementation; - authorizes the state board to contract with multiple entities for different program functions; - provides for state oversight while maintaining program independence; - creates transition provisions if program manager contracts end; - requires separate funding from public education programs; - requires the program manager to:approve and oversee course providers;approve and oversee courses offered;establish payment structure for courses; and annually report on program performance; and - makes technical changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 53F-4-501, 53F-4-503, 53F-4-505, 53F-4-507, 53F-4-511, 53F-4-512, 53F-4-514, 53F-4-516, 53F-6-401
Substitute #1: 53F-4-501, 53F-4-503, 53F-4-505, 53F-4-507, 53F-4-511, 53F-4-512, 53F-4-514, 53F-4-516
Amended 3/5/2025 13:03:906: 53F-4-501, 53F-4-503, 53F-4-505, 53F-4-507, 53F-4-511, 53F-4-512, 53F-4-514, 53F-4-516
Substitute #2: 53F-4-501, 53F-4-503, 53F-4-505, 53F-4-507, 53F-4-511, 53F-4-512, 53F-4-514, 53F-4-516
Substitute #3: 53F-4-501, 53F-4-503, 53F-4-505, 53F-4-507, 53F-4-511, 53F-4-512, 53F-4-514, 53F-4-516
Enrolled: 53F-4-501, 53F-4-503, 53F-4-505, 53F-4-507, 53F-4-511, 53F-4-512, 53F-4-514, 53F-4-516, 53F-6-401
Substitute #4: 53F-4-501, 53F-4-503, 53F-4-505, 53F-4-507, 53F-4-511, 53F-4-512, 53F-4-514, 53F-4-516, 53F-6-401