MADISON -- A bipartisan compromise bill for virtual school education was presented Thursday at the Capitol and lawmakers from both parties said they were interested in getting it passed as quickly as possible.
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon; Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine; and Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, said they expect the bill to be passed before the end of February. All three said it appears likely the Assembly and Senate will be able to work together to help virtual schools in Wisconsin.
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster also attended the news conference.
"Having the state superintendent beside us sends a strong message about this bill," Olsen said.
The bill requires:
* Virtual schools provide 1,050 hours a year of "educational opportunities" with a maximum of 10 hours in a 24-hour period and at least 150 days of school a year.
* Teachers be licensed for each course they teach.
* Teachers respond within 24 hours to a student or parent inquiry during the school week.
* An advisory board for each virtual school that meets on a regular basis.
* That contact information for school board members, charter school board members, charter school advisory board members, district administration and teachers be made available.
* At least 30 hours of staff development for teaching within two years.
There is no provision in the bill to change funding levels for virtual schools or require a percentage of virtual school students be from the school's home district. Both were points of contention in a bill introduced earlier this month by Lehman. That bill prompted counter-legislation by
Davis.
Read more about Thursday's announcement of virtual school legislation in Friday's Times newspaper and online editions.
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon; Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine; and Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, said they expect the bill to be passed before the end of February. All three said it appears likely the Assembly and Senate will be able to work together to help virtual schools in Wisconsin.
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster also attended the news conference.
"Having the state superintendent beside us sends a strong message about this bill," Olsen said.
The bill requires:
* Virtual schools provide 1,050 hours a year of "educational opportunities" with a maximum of 10 hours in a 24-hour period and at least 150 days of school a year.
* Teachers be licensed for each course they teach.
* Teachers respond within 24 hours to a student or parent inquiry during the school week.
* An advisory board for each virtual school that meets on a regular basis.
* That contact information for school board members, charter school board members, charter school advisory board members, district administration and teachers be made available.
* At least 30 hours of staff development for teaching within two years.
There is no provision in the bill to change funding levels for virtual schools or require a percentage of virtual school students be from the school's home district. Both were points of contention in a bill introduced earlier this month by Lehman. That bill prompted counter-legislation by
Davis.
Read more about Thursday's announcement of virtual school legislation in Friday's Times newspaper and online editions.