Schools could count emergency virtual lessons toward yearly requirements

A district or charter school could count up to two days or 12 hours of virtual instruction toward yearly school requirements. This applies to districts and charter schools that close school and provide virtual instruction. The governor must issue an emergency declaration for a specific reason related to school operations, and the school board must approve virtual instruction. The school must have a state-approved plan addressing technology access, instruction for students with IEPs, meals, and transportation for students in technology center courses. The allowance would not apply to statewide virtual charter schools or district-run full-time virtual programs. This provision would begin with the 2026–2027 school year. Initial plans were due November 1, 2025, for state review by January 31, 2026; plans must be reviewed and submitted each year afterward.

A school could count up to one day or six hours of virtual instruction during statewide high school testing toward the two-day or 12-hour limit. This applies when a high school site is giving required statewide assessments and provides virtual instruction. The school board must approve virtual instruction for high-school-only sites, and the school must attest that space and staffing are too limited to provide safe, secure testing for all students. This allowance is for students who are not taking the required eleventh-grade assessments. This would apply beginning with the 2026–2027 school year and count toward the overall two-day or 12-hour limit.

The State Department of Education would report each year on districts and charter schools using the authorized virtual instruction. The report covers use of virtual instruction authorized under the emergency allowance. The report must state which districts and charter schools used virtual instruction, how long it lasted, and why school was closed. The first report would be due by June 30, 2027, with another due by June 30 each year after that.