CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 96(EDC) - Summary

• Allows students in grades 9-12 to receive course credit for career and technical education, physical education, music, or art classes by participating in qualifying outside-school activities, including cultural activities.

• Establishes a virtual education consortium under the Department of Education to create and maintain a database of virtual courses for grades 6-12, with department review and approval of curriculum before inclusion.

• Increases school district cooperative arrangement grants from $100,000 to $200,000 and expands eligibility to include partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

• Raises the school operating fund reserve limit from 10 percent to 25 percent of expenditures, with additional accumulation allowed for three years after receiving a cooperative arrangement grant.

• Requires the Department of Education to analyze feasibility of merging schools operating below 70 percent capacity that are within 25 miles of each other, with a report due to the legislature by the Second Regular Session of the Thirtieth Legislature.

• Reduces school bus inspection requirements from twice to once per calendar year and modifies public school trust fund accounting provisions to focus on capital appreciation and net income.