TX
Texas House Bill HB1479

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas House Bill HB1479

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the state virtual school network.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1479 would enhance the structure surrounding virtual education in Texas, notably by ensuring that school districts receive financial support for each successful course completion. This could lead to an increase in available online educational resources and opportunities for students who may otherwise face barriers to traditional education. The bill seeks to create a uniform approach in administering these courses and provides funding incentives to incentivize schools to offer robust virtual programs, creating a more equitable education landscape for all students.

Summary

House Bill 1479 aims to expand and regulate the state virtual school network in Texas. This legislation would enable students from various backgrounds, including military families, to enroll in virtual courses while also mandating that the Texas Education Agency provide certain funding structures for electronic courses. The bill includes provisions on the eligibility criteria for enrolling in courses offered through this network and articulates funding mechanisms for districts and charter schools involved in delivering these courses. The bill proposes to guarantee educational access to a wide range of students, improving inclusivity in educational offerings across Texas.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1479 include discussions around the implications for local control of educational standards and curriculum. Some educators and local officials worry that the expansion of state-determined virtual education might undermine local school district authority and lead to a 'one-size-fits-all' approach that does not effectively cater to the unique needs of individual communities. Additionally, some stakeholders have expressed concerns regarding the quality of virtual education in comparison to in-person learning, emphasizing the need for rigorous standards and monitoring to ensure educational outcomes are met.

Latest TX HB1479 Activity

View All Events: TX 2009 - 81st Regular HB1479

Companion Bills

TX SB955

Identical Relating to the state virtual school network.

Previously Filed As

TX SB1861

Relating to the provision of virtual education in public schools and to certain waivers and modifications by the commissioner of education to the method of calculating average daily attendance in an emergency or crisis for purposes of preserving school district funding entitlements under the Foundation School Program during that emergency or crisis; authorizing a fee.

TX HB681

Relating to the provision of virtual education in public schools and to certain waivers and modifications by the commissioner of education to the method of calculating average daily attendance in an emergency or crisis for purposes of preserving school district funding entitlements under the Foundation School Program during that emergency or crisis; authorizing a fee.

TX HB3141

Relating to the provision of virtual education in public schools and to certain waivers and modifications by the commissioner of education to the method of calculating average daily attendance in an emergency or crisis for purposes of preserving school district funding entitlements under the Foundation School Program during that emergency or crisis; authorizing a fee.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB31

Relating to virtual and off-campus electronic instruction at a public school and the allotment for certain special-purpose school districts under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB1144

Relating to enrolling a public school student in a virtual education program as an alternative to expulsion.

TX HB772

Relating to corporal punishment in public schools.

TX HB2790

Relating to access to social media and social networking websites on public school campuses.

TX HB710

Relating to the removal of restrictions on funding and payment of costs for certain full-time online educational programs; authorizing a fee.

Similar Bills

TX SB1455

Relating to the state virtual school network; changing a fee.

TX SB27

Relating to the state online learning system; changing a fee.

TX SB955

Relating to the state virtual school network.

TX HB560

Relating to electronic textbooks, state-developed open-source textbooks, and other instructional materials for public schools.

TX HB6

Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools, and the administration of state assessment instruments to public school students.

TX SB6

Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, and the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools; providing penalties.

TX HB6

Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, and the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools.

TX HB681

Relating to the provision of virtual education in public schools and to certain waivers and modifications by the commissioner of education to the method of calculating average daily attendance in an emergency or crisis for purposes of preserving school district funding entitlements under the Foundation School Program during that emergency or crisis; authorizing a fee.