Authority: Instructional Technology: §§ 22.1-20.1, 22.1-70.2, 22.1-199.1, 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, Code of Virginia; P.L. 107-110, Federal Code.
Distance Learning and Electronic Classroom: § 22.1-212.2, Code of Virginia.
A. This appropriation includes $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year from the general fund for statewide digital content development, online learning, and related support services, as prescribed through contract with the Department of Education. All digital content produced and delivery of online learning shall meet criteria established by the Department of Education, meet or exceed applicable Standards of Learning, and be correlated to such state standards.
B. In developing the deliverables for each contract, the Department of Education shall consult with division superintendents or their designated representatives to assess school divisions' needs for digital content, online learning, teacher training, and support services that advance technology integration into the K-12 classroom, as well as for additional educational resources that may be made available to school divisions throughout the Commonwealth.
C. Virtual Virginia Payments
1. From appropriations in this Item, the Department of Education shall provide assistance for the Virtual Virginia program.
2. This appropriation includes $498,000 the first year and $498,000 the second year from the general fund to support the Virtual Virginia full-time program for 200 students in grades nine through 12.
3. This appropriation includes $330,000 the first year and $330,000 the second year from the general fund to support the virtual mathematics outreach program.
4. The local share of costs associated with the operation of the Virtual Virginia program shall be computed using the composite index of local ability-to-pay.
5. The Department of Education shall develop a plan to establish a per-student, per-course fee schedule for local school divisions to participate in Virtual Virginia (VVA) coursework for elementary, middle, and high school students. Such fee schedule plan shall provide (i) an allotment of slots, determined by the Department, per course to a school division free of charge, and (ii) for any slots a school division wishes to use beyond the free slots, a per-course, per-student fee that may include discounts for school divisions based upon the composite index of local ability to pay. The department shall also include in its plan the current student participation enrollment by grade level in each VVA course, the number of students enrolled in VVA courses that a fee of any kind is charged and how such fee is currently paid for in each participating school division. The department shall submit its Virtual Virginia Plan to the Chairmen of House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committee upon completion of developing such plan.
D. Virginia Learner Equitable Access Platform (VA LEAP)
1. Out of this appropriation, $7,131,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the implementation of the VA LEAP statewide learning management system.
2. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall convene a workgroup to develop a plan for the implementation of VA LEAP, including representatives of the Department of Education, school divisions with and without existing learning management systems, learning management system providers, eMediaVA, Virtual Virginia, and other appropriate stakeholders. The plan shall (i) address the integration of existing school division learning management systems into a statewide system, (ii) address the integration of VA LEAP with existing state investments, including eMediaVA, Virtual Virginia and #GoOpenVA, (iii) consider integrating these systems into a single sign-on system, (iv) include a cost-benefit analysis of various approaches to implementing a statewide learning management system, and (v) provide an update on the estimated costs to implement a learning management system based on anticipated local school division participation and technical requirements. Such plan shall be submitted to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee no later than December 1, 2020.
E. Virginia Initiative to Support Internet Outside of School Networks (VISION) program.
To support technology needs and internet access for virtual learning as a result of extended school closures and modified school schedules through the VISION program, $26,900,000 in federal relief funds are provided from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), including $18,000,000 in Governor's Education Emergency Relief (GEER) funds previously announced for this purpose and $8,900,000 in GEER funds previously announced to support longer-term internet access initiatives.