2017S0015-1 11/21/16     By: Huffines S.B. No. 610     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the state virtual school network.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 30A.101(c), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  A nonprofit entity, private entity, or corporation is   eligible to act as a course provider under this chapter only if the   nonprofit entity, private entity, or corporation:                (1)  complies with all applicable federal and state   laws prohibiting discrimination;                (2)  demonstrates financial solvency; and                (3)  provides evidence of prior successful experience   offering online courses to kindergarten or elementary, middle, or   high school students, with demonstrated student success in course   completion and performance, as determined by the commissioner.          SECTION 2.  Section 30A.104(a), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A course offered through the state virtual school   network must:                (1)  be in a specific subject that is part of the   required curriculum under Section 28.002(a);                (2)  be aligned with the essential knowledge and skills   identified under Section 28.002(c) for a grade level at or above   kindergarten [grade level three]; and                (3)  be the equivalent in instructional rigor and scope   to a course that is provided in a traditional classroom setting   during:                      (A)  a semester of 90 instructional days; and                      (B)  a school day that meets the minimum length of   a school day required under Section 25.082.          SECTION 3.  Section 30A.151(f), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (f)  For a full-time electronic course program offered   through the state virtual school network for a grade level at or   above kindergarten [grade level three] but not above grade level   eight, a school district or open-enrollment charter school is   entitled to receive federal, state, and local funding for a student   enrolled in the program in an amount equal to the funding the   district or school would otherwise receive for a student enrolled   in the district or school.  The district or school may calculate the   average daily attendance of a student enrolled in the program based   on:                (1)  hours of contact with the student;                (2)  the student's successful completion of a course;   or                (3)  a method approved by the commissioner.          SECTION 4.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018   school year.          SECTION 5.  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, 2017.