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Committee approves bill allowing limited virtual instruction in emergencies, adds reporting requirement
Summary
Senate Bill 758 authorizes counting virtual instruction days toward required instructional time during emergencies under specified parameters and adds a reporting requirement for school districts using virtual days.
The Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill 758, which permits traditional public and charter schools to count virtual instruction days toward the statutory requirement for 180 instructional days (or 1,080 hours) under limited emergency conditions, with reporting requirements attached.
Senator Thompson said some districts used many virtual days in recent years and that the bill aims to ensure virtual instruction is bounded and transparent. The committee substitute includes a requirement that districts report how many virtual days they used and the reason for each — information Thompson said would be publicly available and subject to state review. She referenced national comparisons and said states that allow virtual days typically require approval and public plans.
Committee members questioned mechanics and intent; proponents said the bill does not eliminate in-person instruction norms and that the reporting requirement is intended to ensure accountability.
The committee recorded 7 ayes and 5 nays and advanced the bill.
