88R1432 CXP-D     By: Jetton H.B. No. 1678       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a local remote learning program offered by a public   school for certain students at risk of dropping out of school.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.9092 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.9092.  LOCAL REMOTE LEARNING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AT   RISK OF DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL. (a) A school district or   open-enrollment charter school may operate a local remote learning   program to offer virtual courses outside the state virtual school   network under Chapter 30A to eligible students at risk of dropping   out of school.          (b)  A virtual course offered under the local remote learning   program must:                (1)  be provided through asynchronous instruction; and                (2)  provide for at least the same number of   instructional hours as required for a course offered in a program   that meets the required minimum number of minutes of operation   under Section 25.081.          (c)  A student is eligible to enroll in a virtual course   offered under a local remote learning program if:                (1)  the student is:                      (A)  enrolled at the high school level at a school   district or open-enrollment charter school; and                      (B)  a student at risk of dropping out of school,   as defined by Section 29.081; and                (2)  the district or school at which the student is   enrolled determines under Subsection (d)(2) that participation in   the program is suitable for the student.          (d)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school   that operates a local remote learning program shall develop a   process to:                (1)  identify students who are potentially eligible to   enroll in a virtual course offered under the program; and                (2)  screen students identified under Subdivision (1)   to ensure that participation in the program is suitable for the   student based on the student's academic needs and access to   necessary technology.          (e)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school   may, but is not required to, provide technological equipment to   students who enroll in a virtual course offered under a local remote   learning program operated under this section.          (f)  A student enrolled in a virtual course offered under a   local remote learning program operated under this section shall be   counted toward the school district's or open-enrollment charter   school's average daily attendance in the same manner as other   district or school students. The commissioner shall adopt rules   providing for a method of taking attendance, once each school day,   for students enrolled in a virtual course offered under a local   remote learning program operated under this section.          (g)  Chapter 30A does not apply to a virtual course offered   under a local remote learning program operated under this section.          (h)  This section does not prohibit a student enrolled in a   school district or open-enrollment charter school that operates a   local remote learning program under this section from enrolling in   courses offered through the state virtual school network under   Chapter 30A.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024   school year.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2023.