SB 329 – This act allows students to enroll in a school district other than their school district of residence or a charter school for the purpose of attending virtual courses or programs. For purposes of state school aid, the student will be included in the average daily attendance of the school district of residence. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must pay the district or charter school an amount equal to eighty-five percent of its tuition fee or the state adequacy target, whichever is greater. This amount cannot exceed one and twenty-five hundredths times the state adequacy target for each enrolled virtual student. In addition, if the average local tax effort per average daily attendance of the student's district of residence does not exceed eighty-five percent of the amount paid to the school district or charter school enrolling the student, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must pay to the general revenue fund an amount equal to ten percent of the amount of the local educational agency's tuition fee, or of the state adequacy target, whichever is greater, for each student. The Department must also withhold from the student's district of residence an amount equal to the amount paid for the virtual education plus the amount deposited in the general revenue fund. Any institution of higher education with its primary campus located in Missouri with an approved teacher education program may sponsor virtual charter schools. Virtual charter schools are subject to all charter school laws. They may only offer instruction in a virtual setting using technology, intranet and internet methods of communication.
This act is similar to HB 463 (2011) and a provision contained in HCS/SB 243 (2011).
MICHAEL RUFF