Virtual Education Bill Heads to Rick Scott

By a bipartisan 90-25 vote, the Florida House of Representatives has passed the Senate-amended version of HB7029 ("Digital Learning"). The bill now heads to Gov. Rick Scott for his approval and signature.

The bill opens the teaching of high school virtual education courses to out-of-state, even international, providers, beginning in the 2015/2016 school year, but requires the Department of Education to perform a study to determine how these providers would receive Floridaaccreditation, how the department would ensure that students themselves are completing the online material, and what other impacts this expansions would have on Florida's educational system.

The study will have to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014.