Provides for the Louisiana Virtual School. (gov sig) (EG INCREASE SG EX See Note)
Impact
The bill significantly impacts how public high schools in Louisiana handle course offerings and student enrollment in virtual education. Each school governing authority is empowered to create a Louisiana Virtual School Agreement with the Department of Education, which may involve contracting with private providers for virtual instruction. It mandates that schools actively facilitate student enrollment in courses outside their standard offerings, ultimately translating into more flexible and enriched educational pathways for students.
Summary
Senate Bill 46 establishes the Louisiana Virtual School within the Department of Education, aimed at expanding educational opportunities for high school students through technology-based courses. The bill allows students to enroll in online courses that may not be available at their respective high schools, delivering content through certified teachers utilizing the internet and other digital tools. This initiative seeks to enhance educational access and provide a broader curriculum, catering to students' diverse academic needs.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SB 46 is generally positive, particularly among advocates for digital education and improved student access to varied curricula. Supporters view this legislation as a substantial step forward in modernizing educational delivery, enhancing equity, and accommodating individual student interests. However, there are concerns among some groups about the effectiveness of virtual learning and whether it can truly replace traditional classroom experiences.
Contention
While the overarching goal of the bill is to enhance educational opportunities, some points of contention arise from potential disparities in access to technology and resources among different school districts. Critics fear that without adequate funding and support, disparities could widen between well-resourced schools and those in less affluent areas. Furthermore, discussions on the effectiveness of online learning versus in-person instruction may spark debates about education quality, requiring ongoing assessment and adjustments as the program is implemented.
Provides relative to school choice, including the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, parent petitions to transfer certain schools to be RSD, charter school authorizers, and course providers. (gov sig) (EG INCREASE LF EX See Note)
Creates the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program to provide educational savings accounts for parental choice in K-12 education. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Requests BESE to convene a minimum foundation program task force to further examine the actual costs of educating a student in Louisiana public elementary and secondary schools.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the purposes for which monies from the Quality Education Support Fund (8(g)) may be used by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to explain how the minimum foundation program is calculated to ensure funding of the unfunded accrued liability.
Requests the state Dept. of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop and adopt academic standards that are rigorous and effective for all La. students