Bill > HB220

This bill establishes and authorizes the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program, which allows students aged 5-21 to enroll in virtual courses and full-time virtual school programs. The bill creates comprehensive standards for how virtual schools will operate, including detailed provisions for student enrollment, funding, assessment, and performance monitoring. Key provisions include requiring school districts to have a clear policy for approving virtual course enrollment, establishing that virtual school students will be counted in state school aid calculations, mandating that virtual programs develop individual learning plans and monitor student engagement, and setting specific requirements for administering statewide assessments in a virtual setting. The bill requires virtual programs to be authorized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which must review providers to ensure they meet academic standards and curriculum alignment. The department is also required to publish an annual report detailing student participation, course offerings, student outcomes, and program costs. Notably, the bill includes specific technical requirements for virtual assessment administration, such as synchronous monitoring, camera proctoring, and maintaining a low student-to-proctor ratio. The goal is to provide flexible educational options while maintaining academic quality and accountability for virtual learning programs.

Education, Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB220&year=2025&code=R