The Colorado legislative session ended with a flurry of activity regarding the omnibus online school bill.  The legislation had been sponsored by Sen. Sue Windels and Rep. Terrence Carroll, and was the legislature's response to the audit done on online schools by the Colorado State Auditor last fall.  Initially, the legislation would have created a new online school division in the Colorado Dept. of Education which would have sweeping powers to regulate online schools.  The division would have been funded by a tax on online student funding.  The legislation also had a provision that would end the restriction on entering online schools for private and homeschool students beginning the 2008-2009 school year.

The bill was amended many times throughout the process, and many thanks go to Sen. Peter Groff for championing online school parents in the process and negotiating with Sen. Windels for dropping the tax on online student funding and keeping the lifting of the restriction on access to online schools.  Online parents and students are encouraged to send thanks from the Coalition to Sen. Groff, Sen. Windels and Rep. Terrence Carroll for all their hard work and their willingness to listen to online parents!!!!

The bill was signed by the Governor on May 23, 2007, and in its final form, it will create a new online division in the Colorado Dept of Education to oversee online schools and a new advisory board.  The legislation has many recommendations regarding online school standards, and the new advisory board will go over those and make recommendations.  The advisory board will be made up of online school experts, teachers, parents and businesspeople.  Appointments to the board will be made by the Governor, and the Coalition will be making recommendations on those people during the summer.

But best of all, the legislation lifts the restriction on private school and homeschool students entering online schools.  Previously, students who had been attending private school or homeschools had to enroll in a brick and mortar public school for a semester prior to enrolling in a public online school.  Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, students will no longer be required to do this, and can enroll directly into the public online school.

The 2007 legislative session began with many concerns for online schools and parents, and the Coalition worked hard to make sure parents' voices were heard throughout the process.  We are extremely pleased with the results, and hope you are as well!!

Stay tuned throughout the summer for Coalition updates and activities, and for the ramp-up to the 2008 legislative session!!

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