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Senate passes bill to expand and codify virtual education options in public schools
Summary
Committee substitute for Senate Bill 569 passed the Senate 28-2 on March 13; sponsors said the bill consolidates virtual education rules, provides funding and accountability, and implements recommendations from the Texas Commission on Virtual Education.
Senators on March 13 passed committee substitute for Senate Bill 569, a measure the sponsor described as a unified statutory framework for virtual education in Texas public schools.
Senator Bettencourt moved final passage of the committee substitute, saying the measure "creates a single unified section of the code to provide flexibility, accessibility, and reactivity for our Texas students needed to succeed through digital learning" and that the bill is "based upon unanimous and bipartisan recommendations of the Texas Commission on Virtual Education." On the floor, Bettencourt argued the bill allows "individual virtual hybrid courses, virtual and hybrid programs, virtual and hybrid campuses" while accounting for parent, student and teacher rights and providing accountability and state support through funding and professional development.
The sponsor told the chamber there are currently 51,000 students using virtual education in Texas and predicted the program could grow to about 100,000 students. The measure also addresses the method of calculating average daily attendance under an emergency and allows specified waivers and modifications by the commissioner of education.
Final vote and next steps
The Senate recorded final passage of the committee substitute for SB 569 by a roll call of 28 ayes and 2 nays. The bill was advanced under suspension of the Senate's three‑day rule, enabling same‑day final passage. The Texas Education Agency will be responsible for implementing changes that affect funding calculations, waivers and program oversight once the bill becomes law.
What supporters said and dissent
Supporters highlighted the need for a consistent statutory framework that recognizes and funds virtual instruction options and offers accountability and professional development for teachers serving virtual programs. The transcript includes the sponsor's floor statement: "On behalf of the 51,000 students currently using virtual education and the soon to be 100,000 students using virtual education, I move final passage of the committee substitute senate bill 5 69." Two senators voted against final passage; the transcript records the tally but not floor debate from the dissenting senators.
Provenance: the transcript records the committee substitute's caption, sponsor floor remarks, roll-call and final-passage announcement for SB 569 on March 13.
