RULE NO: RULE TITLE
6A-6.0980: K-8 Virtual School Program
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule is to adopt requirements for administering the K-8 Virtual School Program within the Department of Education. The rule will also incorporate the Program’s application form.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule incorporates the application form for the K-8 Virtual School Program, provides timelines for submitting the application, and outlines requirements for student enrollment and attendance verification and for school accountability.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1002.415 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.415 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
TIME AND DATE: January 16, 2007, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Carlo Rodriguez, Executive Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 522, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, (850)245-0502

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

6A-6.0980 K-8 Virtual School Program.

(1) Application.

(a) Each school wishing to participate in the K-8 Virtual School Program must submit to the Florida Department of Education, Form VSP – 01, K-8 Virtual School Program Application, which is incorporated by reference in this rule to become effective February 2007. This form is available by contacting the Florida Department of Education, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Turlington Building, Room 522, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

(b) Form VSP – 01 must be submitted between March 1 and March 31 of each year for an applicant to be considered for participation during the following school year.

(2) Enrollment/Attendance Verification.

(a) Each virtual school participating in the program must verify the enrollment of students thirty (30) days prior to each payment date as specified in Section 1002.415(6)(b), Florida Statutes.

(b) Each virtual school participating in the program must maintain the attendance records and reports required by Section 1003.23, Florida Statutes. The virtual school must keep daily attendance for each enrolled student and must verify the continued attendance of each student.

(c) Upon verification of student enrollment and continued attendance, the Department shall make payments to participating schools according to the schedule contained in Section 1002.415, Florida Statutes.

(3) Accountability. Any K-8 virtual school that has a performance grade category of “D” or “F” as determined by Section 1008.34, Florida Statutes, must file a School Improvement Plan (SIP) with the Department within two (2) months of the grade’s release. The SIP must identify the causes of the virtual school’s low performance and propose a plan for correction and improvement.

Specific Authority 1002.415(9) FS. Law Implemented 1002.415 FS. History–New_________.