Texas House Bill HB429

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the state virtual school network and a study on digital learning.

Impact

This bill is expected to have a significant impact on how digital education is delivered and funded in Texas schools. By allowing school districts to charge fees for enrollment in online courses, the bill creates a potential revenue stream that can be used to support these digital offerings. Additionally, the legislation mandates the Texas Education Agency to conduct a study on the effectiveness of digital learning programs, which will inform future policies and funding strategies to enhance these educational opportunities.

Summary

House Bill 429 focuses on enhancing the state virtual school network and aims to improve digital learning in public education across Texas. The bill proposes amendments to existing sections of the Education Code to clarify funding entitlements for students enrolled in electronic courses and also allows school districts to charge fees for these courses under certain conditions. The underlying goal is to ensure that funding for electronic courses is managed similarly to traditional classroom settings, thus encouraging participation in digital learning.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HB 429 could include various points of contention such as the implications of charging fees for online courses, which may disproportionately affect students from low-income families. Some educators and advocacy groups may express concerns regarding access to digital learning resources and the equitable distribution of educational opportunities. The bill also raises questions about the continuation and relevance of the digital learning initiatives post-study and how the findings will translate into actionable policy changes.