SB569

SB569 creates a new framework for public-school virtual and hybrid courses, programs and campuses. It replaces the former state virtual school network law with Education Code Chapter 30B, changes attendance funding, and gives the education commissioner authority to approve and oversee full-time campuses. It was signed and took effect May 6, 2025, and applies beginning with the 2025–26 school year. Existing network courses and programs, including those operating under waivers, may continue under the old framework through 2026–27, but use the new funding provisions. Existing virtual operators receive an expedited authorization process—not automatic permanent approval. Sections 7 and 14–18; Official history.

Who can enroll: full-time hybrid campuses are available to students eligible for Texas public school. Full-time virtual-campus eligibility has five alternatives: at least six weeks in a Texas public school in the current or preceding school year; first seeking enrollment in first grade or below; not having been required to attend Texas public school the preceding year because of nonresidency; being a dependent of a deployed U.S. military member; or placement in Texas substitute care. A hybrid program means less than 90% of annual instructional minutes in person; a virtual program has minimal or no in-person attendance and primarily online content. A campus is classified as full-time hybrid or virtual when at least half its students are in the corresponding program. Sections 30B.001 and 30B.103.

Student choice: districts must retain an in-person option and cannot compel enrollment at a full-time hybrid or virtual campus. Open-enrollment charters have an express exception allowing such a requirement. Individual courses generally cannot be compulsory, subject to that charter exception. Special-education and accommodation obligations continue, and enrolled students may participate in their school’s extracurricular activities on the same basis as other students. Sections 30B.005, 30B.052 and 30B.104.

Schools must inform families about available courses and may not intimidate students to discourage enrollment. A parent’s course request may be denied for an inconsistent graduation/college/certification course load, incompatible enrollment timing, or a determination that the cost is too high. The old “we offer a similar course” reason is removed. Denials require a written reason and appeal instructions; the local school board’s decision is final under this provision, replacing the former appeal to the commissioner. Schools may decline to pay for more than three yearlong virtual courses or the equivalent, except for full-time virtual students. Providers may charge tuition and fees to students not eligible for Texas public school or not enrolled in the offering district or charter. This is not a promise that every outside course is free. Section 5 and Section 30B.055.

Quality and oversight: districts and charters certify curriculum alignment, rigor and compliance with commissioner standards—or the specified national online-course standards if commissioner standards are absent. Full-time campuses need authorization, ordinarily including a year of planning, academic and operations plans, privacy/security measures and evidence of capacity. Authorization must be likely to improve learning opportunities. Campuses receive separate identifiers and cannot switch their authorized hybrid/virtual designation. Three preceding years of unacceptable or needs-improvement ratings require revocation; special investigations can also lead to intervention or revocation. Closure-related revocation appeals use the specified statutory process, while the initial authorization decision is final. Whole-program private providers face performance review and possible five-year ineligibility, with a limited commissioner-approved exception. Sections 30B.051 and 30B.101–30B.152.

Teachers and access: schools cannot coerce an in-person teacher into a virtual/hybrid assignment. Generally, a teacher cannot be required to teach in-person and online students simultaneously; an enrichment-course waiver and a noninteractive simulcast exception apply. Appropriate professional development is required unless the school finds sufficient prior experience. State tests generally follow the same administration rules as in-person courses unless commissioner rules authorize otherwise. The chapter permits but does not require schools to supply home computers or internet service. TEA must list available virtual courses, costs and outside providers, and provide professional development and development grants from available funds. Sections 30B.004, 30B.053–30B.057 and 30B.201–30B.202.

Funding and other changes: attendance rules must allow live or self-paced online instruction to receive the same per-student funding as in-person instruction without requiring attendance at a specific place or time. For full-time campuses, funding uses full-time-equivalent enrollment multiplied by the district/charter attendance rate excluding its full-time hybrid/virtual-campus students, or the statewide rate if a reliable local rate is unavailable. Funding is apportioned when a student alternates settings. Dropout-recovery programs use the new framework; the law changes their funding trigger from course completion to enrollment. Full-time virtual students must be included for the specified compensatory-education calculation but remain excluded from the fast-growth allotment. Special-purpose university-operated districts use the campus funding formula while retaining their no-local-share treatment. Sections 6–7 and 11–13.

Before certain expulsions, schools must consider whether a virtual or hybrid alternative is appropriate and feasible; the law expressly excludes specified serious-offense and alternative-placement cases. It does not ban expulsion or guarantee virtual placement. Separately, a statewide or regional attendance decline caused by an emergency or crisis requires the commissioner to modify or waive applicable attendance-funding requirements with safeguards for continued instruction. Sections 9–10.