Bill Caption

Relating to the state virtual school network; changing a fee.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1455, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($69,472,523) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.

The agency is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the agency may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

SB 1455 would expand the state virtual school network to any student who is otherwise eligible to enroll in a public school. This bill would also clarify that certain providers may offer either individual courses, be authorized by the Commissioner to be a full-time virtual school, or both. It would create a TEA authorization process similar to charters to operate online virtual schools.

Students who are eligible to enroll in a Texas public school would be eligible to enroll in the virtual network for free and the bill would create a fee for anyone not eligible to enroll in a Texas public school. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools would have access to the course catalog if the schools have a C rating or higher.   

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports SB 1455 because it promotes limited government and individual liberty by providing for more expansive public school choice by giving parents and students a school option that may better suit their needs if the traditional neighborhood school to which they are zoned is not the right fit.