HB 1633-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/08/05)

Provides that the board of directors of a school district may operate digital learning programs for eligible full-time students, or eligible part-time students who meet the provisions of RCW 28A.150.350. The board of directors may also provide such programs through contract to the extent permitted under RCW 28A.150.305.

Requires digital learning programs to provide each student with: (1) Direct personal contact with certificated staff designated by either the school district or by the contractor with the approval of the school district. Direct personal contact is for the purposes of instruction, assignment review, testing, evaluation of student progress, or other learning activities. Direct personal contact may include the use of telephone, e-mail, instant messaging, interactive computer, or interactive video communication;

(2) A description of course objectives monitored by certificated staff, including information on the requirements a student must meet to successfully complete the course; and

(3) Information on the ways the course meets the school district's learning goals and, for high school courses, whether and how the course meets state and district graduation requirements; and

(4) An assessment of each student's progress at least annually using, for full-time students, the state assessment for the student's grade level and any other annual assessment required by the school district. Part-time students shall also be assessed at least annually. Part-time students who are either receiving home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW or who are enrolled in an approved private school under chapter 28A.195 RCW are not required to participate in the state assessments required under chapter 28A.655 RCW.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to adopt rules for the implementation of this act, including program implementation standards and enrollment documentation and reporting as follows: (1) Each school district shall receive apportionment generated in accordance with chapter 28A.150 RCW based upon the student full-time equivalent enrollment reported for this program;

(2) For funding purposes, enrollment shall be determined based upon the learning activities specified in the digital course objectives, including the estimated average weekly hours spent by each individual student participating in a digital program; and

(3) Enrollment of part-time students shall be subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.150.350, and shall generate the pro rata share of full-time funding.