Colorado S.B. 139

Supplemental Online Education Courses

Recognizes the importance of supplemental online education courses, especially to smaller districts and rural schools. States that such courses are eligible to receive funding from the state education fund created in article IX of the state constitution. Requires the department, on or before October 1, 2005, to contract with a supplemental on-line course provider to provide high-quality supplemental on-line education courses statewide for purchase by districts, boards of cooperative services, charter schools and the state charter school institute. Requires the contracting provider to work with these entities to allow schools to (1) offer courses for all students in all performance ranges, including gifted and talented students and students in need of remediation; (2) resolve class scheduling conflicts; (3) provide make-up credits for students and summer school options to help students graduate earlier; (4) offer courses for expelled and home-bound students; (5) offer courses for which local teachers are not available; (6) offer courses allowing students to meet higher education admission requirements; (7) meet federal requirements for highly qualified teachers; and (8) provide teacher professional development. Requires the supplemental online course provider to be a nonprofit or not-for-profit organization or school district, have documented evidence of program evaluation, and to meet other requirements. Specifies minimum provisions of a contract for supplemental online education courses, including that the contractor must provide at least 50 online courses in specified subject areas, the teachers meet the federal requirements for a highly qualified teacher, and that, where applicable, the courses are based on the state model content standards. Requires the contractors to annually report to the department and the legislature on specified details about the program during the preceding year. Makes an allocation.

http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics2005a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/4723DE9EE54766D487256F810074794F?Open&file=139_enr.pdf


Source:
www.leg.state.co.us

Status: VetoedStatus Date: 06/02/2005