Notwithstanding the concerns about Florida’s poor education quality, lawmakers are seeking to expand virtual education programs in the state.
Two bills are moving through the Legislature (SB 1620, HB 7197) which aim to expand virtual school programs, allowing more virtual school companies to teach Florida students. The bill also make provision for students to take an online class in order to graduate.
Proponents of virtual school favor the Senate version of the bill as it is more expansive, diminishes school district control over virtual programs, expands it to grades K-12 and allows statewide taxpayer-funded virtual schools for students in public or private schools or for home-schooled children.
Both bills require the online assessment for all statewide exams, whether that students is in a virtual class or not.
SB 1620 passed the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee on Tuesday in a unanimous vote. Its next stop is the Budget Committee.
On the House side, HB 7197 passed the K-20 Innovation Subcommittee last week.
Critics say, virtual education is being pushed because it is seen as a cheaper alternative to traditional classroom instruction and there is no evidence demonstrating that it’s good for children.
In the 2009-2010 school year, about 21,176 students, less than one percent of the more than 2.6 million public schools students, were enrolled in virtual education programs in Florida.
