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SB 569

Relating to the provision of virtual education in public schools and to certain waivers and modifications by the commissioner of education to the method of calculating average daily attendance in an emergency or crisis for purposes of preserving school district funding entitlements under the Foundation School Program during that emergency or crisis; authorizing a fee.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Trent Ashby and 14 co-sponsors

Texas bill authorizes virtual education provision and lets Education Commissioner modify attendance-based school funding calculations during emergencies to protect district revenue.

Effective immediately
#disasterpreparedness&relief(i0211) #educationagency #texas(v9941) #education #commissionerof(v9954) #education--primary&secondary--accountability(i0007) #education--primary&secondary--admission&attendance(i0227) #education--primary&secondary--charterschools(i0245) #education--primary&secondary--curriculum(i0228) #education--primary&secondary--extracurricularactivities(i0247) #education--primary&secondary--general(i0230) #education--primary&secondary--testing(i0229) #education--primary&secondary--virtualeducation(it7r2) #education--schooldistricts(i0220) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #foundationschoolprogram(s0541) #statefinances--management&control(i0748)
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Bill Summary · SB 569

Legislative bill overview

SB 569 establishes provisions for virtual education delivery in Texas public schools and grants the Education Commissioner authority to modify how average daily attendance (ADA) is calculated during emergencies or crises. The bill aims to protect school district funding through the Foundation School Program when normal operations are disrupted, and authorizes the collection of fees related to virtual education services.

Why is this important

School funding in Texas is tied directly to attendance metrics, so during emergencies (pandemics, natural disasters, etc.), districts face potential revenue loss when students cannot attend physically. This bill provides financial protection for districts during such disruptions while establishing a framework for virtual learning options. The fee authorization creates a new revenue mechanism that could affect families accessing virtual education services.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding protection vs. accountability: While protecting district budgets during crises, the ADA modification waiver could reduce incentives for districts to prioritize in-person learning resumption or maintain rigorous virtual instruction standards.
  • Virtual education fees: Authorizing fees for virtual education may create barriers for lower-income families or contradict the principle of free public education, depending on implementation details not specified in the bill description.
  • Commissioner discretion: Granting broad waiver authority to the Education Commissioner during "emergency or crisis" periods lacks clear definitions of what qualifies, potentially allowing subjective application across districts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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