Bill Summary: SB 1409 - Virtual Education Authorizing Commission

• Creates the Virtual Education Authorizing Commission with seven members: the State Superintendent (chair), two members appointed by the Governor, two by the Senate President Pro Tempore, and two by the House Speaker, representing different congressional districts.

• Establishes the Commission to authorize providers of full-time statewide virtual education instruction and provide oversight of approved providers, with monthly meetings starting by September 1, 2012.

• Restricts school districts from offering full-time virtual education to out-of-district students after July 1, 2013, unless they petition and receive approval from the Virtual Education Authorizing Commission.

• Requires the Commission to submit annual reports by November 1 to state leadership detailing student enrollment, state aid received, expenditures per pupil, test results, and graduation rates for each approved provider.

• Establishes that approved providers receive state aid allocations minus up to 5% retained by the Commission for administrative expenses, with all providers considered a single Local Educational Agency.