HB 949 - Virtual Education Summary

• Requires the Florida Virtual School to give enrollment priority to dependent children of active duty military personnel whose home of record or State of Legal Residence Certificate lists Florida.

• Mandates that industry certification examinations, national assessments, and statewide assessments be available to all Florida Virtual School students at designated testing locations.

• Establishes automatic contract termination for virtual instruction providers who receive two consecutive "D" or "F" school grades or "Unsatisfactory" ratings within a 4-year period, though the State Board of Education may grant a waiver.

• Revises the definition of "full-time equivalent student" for virtual instruction programs to consist of six full-credit completions or prescribed content level, with 80 percent calculation if requirements are not met but student is enrolled during membership surveys.

• Requires background screenings using fingerprints for all personnel with direct student contact in virtual instruction programs, with the Department of Law Enforcement providing results to the employing entities.