Supplemental Online Education And Blended Learning Resources

Before passage of the act, a board of cooperative services (BOCES) was designated to make supplemental online education courses, teacher professional development, and consulting services available to school districts, charter schools, and other BOCES (local education providers). The designated BOCES contracted with nonprofit entities to provide these services.

The act creates the statewide supplemental online and blended learning program (program) to better administer the availability of these courses and services. The designated BOCES is charged with leading and administering the program, which includes creating a statewide plan for making supplemental online and blended learning resources available to local education providers. In administering the program, the designated BOCES may contract with multiple nonprofit providers and local public education agencies for the supplemental online education courses, professional development, and consulting services. A provider may subcontract with for-profit or nonprofit entities, local public education agencies, or private organizations. The designated BOCES must also actively market the program to local education providers. The designated BOCES may expend up to 10 % of the amount appropriated for the program to offset the increased costs of administering the program.

Under the act, once a multi-district online school is certified by the department of education, it is now required to seek the department's approval only if it intends to expand the grade levels that it serves.

$480,000 is appropriated to the department of education for the 2016-17 fiscal year for implementation of the program.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)