Texas House Bill HB3141

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to providing by contract for a public or private entity to act as the administering authority for the state virtual school network and to the duties of the administering authority.

Impact

The implementation of HB3141 is expected to streamline the governance of virtual education in Texas. By allowing for a contracted entity to administer the virtual school network, the bill aims to potentially increase efficiency and accountability in overseeing the quality of online courses available to students. Furthermore, the focus on creating a structured evaluation process for electronic courses is intended to improve educational outcomes and ensure that students have access to quality learning materials. This could significantly influence the educational landscape by promoting the use of online learning platforms.

Summary

House Bill 3141 focuses on enhancing the administration of the state virtual school network by enabling the commissioner of education to contract a public or private entity to serve as the administering authority. This bill amends various sections of the Education Code to clarify the responsibilities of the administering authority, emphasizing the importance of high-quality education and equitable access to electronic courses provided through the state virtual school network. One of the key components is ensuring that the administering authority evaluates and approves electronic courses while prioritizing certain types of courses such as those that meet graduation requirements or benefit students aiming for postsecondary education.

Contention

Some potential points of contention surrounding HB3141 might include concerns over the implications of outsourcing educational administration to private entities. Critics may argue that this could lead to a dilution of accountability and a lack of transparency in how courses are evaluated and approved. Additionally, there might be discussions about the adequacy of funding for the new administrative framework, as the bill suggests that if funds are insufficient for course evaluations, fees could be imposed on schools to cover costs, raising concerns regarding the financial burden on educational institutions.