FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 919

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

 

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BAKER (123).

         Read 1st time March 31, 2005 and copies ordered printed.

STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk

2208L.01I

 

AN ACT

To amend chapter 161, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the establishment of a virtual school.




Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:


            Section A. Chapter 161, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 161.670, to read as follows:

            161.670. 1. Notwithstanding any other law, before January 1, 2006, the state board of education shall establish a virtual school to serve all school-age students residing in the state. The virtual school shall have a physical presence in at least one previously established school district, but shall offer instruction in a virtual classroom setting using technology, intranet, and/or Internet methods of communication. Any student in grades kindergarten through twelve, who resides in this state, shall be eligible to enroll in the virtual school regardless of the student's physical location.

            2. For purposes of calculation and distribution of state school aid, pupils enrolled in a virtual school shall be included in the pupil enrollment of the school district within which the pupil physically resides. The virtual school, or its hosting district, shall report the names, addresses, and eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch or other categorical aid, of pupils resident in a school district who are enrolled in the virtual school to the district in which those pupils physically reside. The virtual school shall promptly notify the pupil's resident district when a student discontinues enrollment.

            3. When a school district has one or more resident pupils enrolled in a virtual school authorized by this section, the department of elementary and secondary education shall disburse an amount corresponding to the aid attributable to that pupil from the aid paid to the resident district and transfer such amount to the district hosting the virtual school.

            4. Except as specified in this section, the virtual school shall comply with all state laws and regulations applicable to traditional schools.