California Code of Regulations › Title 5 - Education › Division 1 - California Department of Education › Chapter 11 - Special Programs › Subchapter 19 - Charter Schools › Article 1.5 - Classroom- and Nonclassroom-Based Instruction in Charter Schools › Section 11963.5 - Determination of Funding Requests for Nonclassroom-Based Virtual or on-Line Charter Schools

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
A virtual or on-line charter school is one in which at
						least 80 percent of teaching and student interaction occurs via the
						Internet.
(a) A virtual or on-line
					 nonclassroom-based charter school may receive approval of a funding
					 determination with no maximum pupil-teacher ratio if the charter school has and
					 maintains an 8 or above Academic Performance Index (API) rank in either its
					 statewide or similar schools ranking and has no less than a 6 in the other of
					 these two rankings.
(b) In order to
					 be funded pursuant to (a) above, a virtual or on-line charter school, must
					 demonstrate that:
(1) The school has met its
					 overall and subgroup API growth targets.
(2) Instructional expenditures are at least
					 85 percent of the overall school budget. A substantial portion of these
					 expenditures (at least 25 percent of the charter school's general purpose
					 entitlement and categorical block grant as defined in Education Code section
					 47632), are
					 spent on technology that directly benefits students and teachers and results in
					 improved student achievement.
(3)
					 Computer-based instruction and assessment is provided to each student and
					 includes the use of an on-line instructional management program, which at a
					 minimum includes standards-based guided lessons, lesson plans, initial testing
					 of students, periodic assessment of student achievement, and the use of other
					 measurements of student progress over a period of time.
(4) Teachers are provided with technology
					 tools and print media, which at a minimum must include: standards-aligned
					 instructional materials, computer, printer, monitor, Internet service,
					 telephone, staff development that provides for the monitoring of student
					 progress, and a means of electronic communication for frequent student
					 contact.
(5) All students are
					 provided an individualized learning plan that is based on initial testing of
					 the students and that is monitored either remotely or in person, by the teacher
					 to evaluate student progress.
(6)
					 All students are provided access to a computer, Internet service, printer,
					 monitor, and standards-aligned materials based on State Board adopted academic
					 content standards for each grade level and for each subject studied.
(7) All students eligible for special
					 education supports and services receive those supports and services in
					 accordance with their individualized education program.
(8) Charter school admission practices will
					 not favor high performing students or recruit a student population that is of a
					 higher socioeconomic group or lower racial or ethnic representation than the
					 general population of the county or counties served. Admission practices not
					 reflective of the county or counties served shall be cause for denial by the
					 State Board of Education under this section.