Bill

SB 27

87(R) - 2021
Senate Education
Senate Education
Education
Fees

Contact the Author

Larry Taylor

Phone:

512-463-0111

Capitol Office:

1E.9

Email:

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive

Author(s)

Larry Taylor

Co-Author(s)

Paul Bettencourt

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 SB 27, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($140,659,618) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. 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 27 would allow the commissioner of education to establish criteria for, authorize the operation of, and approve an expansion of a full-time virtual school to campuses which meet certain criteria. Additionally, the bill would create a statewide course catalog, a program of supplemental courses offered by state-approved course providers that is delivered through the state virtual school network. Students who are enrolled full-time in the district or charter schools would be able to transfer to the virtual school full-time, but supplementary subjects would be offered with a fee to be set by the commissioner of education.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports SB 27 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. This is all the more necessary in the wake of the COVID-19 disaster which significantly disrupted public education and has caused an extraordinary loss of learning. Parents are desperate for choices other than what school districts are able to capably offer. 

Contact the Author

Larry Taylor

Phone:

512-463-0111

Capitol Office:

1E.9

Email: