HOUSE BILL No. 6324
September 5, 2018, Introduced by Rep. Lilly and referred to the Committee on Education Reform.
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled
"The revised school code,"
by amending section 1481 (MCL 380.1481), as added by 2000 PA 230.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1481. (1) Not later than the beginning of the 2000-2001
school year, the The Michigan virtual university Virtual University
shall develop, implement, and operate the Michigan Virtual Learning
Research Institute described under subsection (7). The Michigan
Virtual University shall also operate the Michigan virtual high
school, as described in this section.Virtual School as a statewide
laboratory and quality model of instruction by implementing virtual
and blended learning solutions for schools in this state.
(2) The Michigan virtual high school Virtual University shall
have the following goals:
(a) Significantly expand curricular offerings for middle
schools and high schools across this state through agreements with
school districts or licenses from other recognized providers.
(b) Create a statewide instructional model using interactive
multimedia tools delivered by electronic means, including, but not
limited to, the internet, digital broadcast, or satellite network,
for distributed learning at the middle school and high school
level.levels.
(c) Provide pupils with opportunities to develop skills and
competencies through on-line online and blended learning.
(d) Offer high school teachers opportunities to learn new
skills and strategies for developing and delivering instructional
services.
(e) Accelerate this state's ability to respond to current and
emerging educational demands.
(f) Grant high school diplomas through a dual enrollment
method with school districts.
(f) (g) Act Explore opportunities to act as a broker for
college level equivalent courses, as defined in section 1471, and
dual enrollment courses from postsecondary education institutions,
including advanced placement courses.
(3) The Michigan virtual high school course offerings shall
include, Virtual School may offer virtual courses, including, but
are not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Information technology courses.
(b) College level equivalent courses, as defined in section
1471.
(c) Courses and dual enrollment opportunities.
(d) At-risk programs and services.
(e) General education development test preparation courses for
adjudicated youth.
(f) Special interest courses.
(g) Professional development programs and services for
teachers.
(4) In addition to its other duties under this section, the
Michigan virtual university shall work with the department and
other appropriate state agencies to explore the development and
delivery of a full curriculum for migrant pupils that would be
available through distance learning. The Michigan virtual
university and the department shall submit a joint report on their
findings under this subsection to the legislature not later than 1
year after the effective date of this section.
(5) Nonpublic school students and home-schooled children may
participate in course offerings of the Michigan virtual high school
to the same extent they are allowed to participate in school
district course offerings under this act and the state school aid
act of 1979, 1979 PA 94, MCL 388.1601 to 388.1772.
(4) A home-schooled child or a nonpublic school student who is
a resident of a school district that subscribes to services
provided by the Michigan Virtual School may use the services
provided by the Michigan Virtual School to the school district and
shall not be charged a rate that exceeds the rate that is charged
to a pupil enrolled in a school district who uses the same
services.
(5) The Michigan Virtual School shall maintain an
accreditation from a recognized national or international
accreditation entity.
(6) The Michigan virtual university Virtual University shall
fund the Michigan virtual high school Virtual School from
appropriations made for this purpose and may also use funds
received from other sources. The department shall provide technical
assistance as requested by the Michigan virtual university Virtual
University for the purposes of this section.
(7) It is the intent of the legislature that the Michigan
Virtual Learning Research Institute support and accelerate
innovation in education and provide leadership for this state's
system of virtual learning education.
(8) For the purposes of supporting and accelerating innovation
in education and providing leadership for this state's system of
virtual learning education under subsection (7), the Michigan
Virtual Learning Research Institute shall do at least all of the
following:
(a) Test, evaluate, and recommend new technology-based
instructional tools and resources, as appropriate.
(b) Research, design, and recommend virtual education delivery
models.
(c) Research, develop, and recommend criteria by which cyber
schools and virtual course providers should be monitored and
evaluated.
(d) Analyze the effectiveness of virtual learning delivery
models in preparing pupils to be college- and career-ready.
(e) Provide an extensive professional development program to
education personnel that focuses on the effective integration of
virtual learning into curricula and instruction.
(f) Identify barriers to the adoption of virtual learning in
the public education system.
(g) Identify other opportunities to encourage virtual learning
in the public education system.
(h) Identify and share best practices for planning,
implementing, and evaluating virtual and blended education delivery
models to accelerate the adoption of innovative education delivery
models statewide.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.