A bill that requires all students in Florida to take one virtual class before graduating and permits kindergarteners to take full-time virtual classes was approved by the Senate Budget Committee on Monday.
The measure (SB 1620) was amended to match a carefully negotiated House version. The Senate bill is now scaled back from its original version, which would have permitted a statewide virtual school with open enrollment to any student in public, private or home schools.
In its amended form, the bill now only permits virtual charter schools and expands the ability of the Florida Virtual School to offer full-time and part-time enrollment to students in grades K-12.
Many Democrats on the committee expressed concern about allowing kindergarteners to take full-time virtual instruction.
Bill sponsor Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, defended the bill as likely only attracting a small number of new virtual school students.
“This isn’t just a kindergarten student waking up one day and saying ‘Gee, I want to be in virtual classes,’ ” Flores said. “There will be discussion with parents, of course, and the district as well.”
Other lawmakers said they were concerned about the fiscal impact, which was estimated at over $6 million.
A rally will be held on Tuesday to support the bill and its House companion (HB 7197) with Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Mike Haridopolos as well as other lawmakers in attendance.
