Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa took a somber tone last week when updating board members on the status of the district’s legislative priorities. He said he was advised to consider asking the Texas Education Agency for a waiver to continue offering virtual learning next year because the bills had stalled.
“It does not look like the virtual bill will survive this session,” Hinojosa said.
Under current state law, only districts or charters that operated an online program before 2013 are authorized to run full-time virtual schools and qualify for complete funding. The state has seven such programs operating in what’s known as the Texas Virtual School Network, and students from all over the state can enroll.
Education Commissioner Mike Morath waived the rules in response to the COVID-19 shutdowns, but his action will expire at the end of the school year. He said it is up to the Legislature to come up with a long-term plan.
The House last month passed a bill by Rep. Keith Bell, R-Forney, that would allow school districts and charters to establish their own full-time, remote learning programs for students in third grade or higher, and would be funded similarly to traditional campuses. It’s scheduled for a Friday Senate Education Committee hearing.
The full Senate has not yet voted on its version of the virtual learning bill, though it was designated one of Patrick’s priorities.
Areas of contention include whether the state’s youngest students should be allowed to participate in virtual learning; whether districts should be able to serve children outside their boundaries; how to include the needs of special education students; and how to hold districts accountable for online programs given that existing virtual schools have a mixed record of academic success.
“While we certainly understand there are significant competing interests in advancing such complex and important legislation, we also recognize that in order for school districts to truly meet the needs of our students, we must have the ability to serve those students in the way that is best for them,” the districts’ letter to lawmakers reads.
If the Legislature doesn’t quickly come to an agreement — and move bills along — it could throw many districts’ plans into flux.
Frisco ISD, for example, announced its intention to open a new all-virtual school to serve its students, but those efforts could be derailed. Dallas ISD plans to open a hybrid program next fall, and DeSoto ISD is also hosting information sessions on a hybrid model.
“We urge you to advance legislation that would provide funding for school districts to serve their own students in an online environment,” the districts wrote.
Other school systems have no such intentions, regardless of the Legislature’s moves. McKinney ISD announced recently that it does not plan to offer any virtual options next year.
“McKinney ISD believes strongly in face-to-face instruction between students and teachers,” Superintendent Rick McDaniel wrote to families.
