HB 12-1240: Statutory Changes To K-12 Education

• Extends the deadline for state board adoption of high school graduation guidelines from December 15, 2011 to May 15, 2013, allowing school districts to develop local requirements meeting or exceeding state minimum standards.

• Establishes "on-line schools" as distinct from "on-line programs," with on-line schools having 100+ students, their own administrator, separate budget, and full accountability responsibilities compared to smaller programs.

• Increases the cap on district and institute charter schools authorized as school food authorities from six to ten until July 1, 2016.

• Adds provisions allowing charter schools to operate public preschool programs with diverse enrollment requirements and guarantees of continued enrollment to kindergarten.

• Modifies internet safety requirements by extending deadline compliance to December 31, 2012 and expanding "technology device" definition beyond computers to include various hardware and devices used for learning.