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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-1404" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Virtual Schools">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A virtual school shall provide each enrolled student:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Access to a sequential curriculum approved by the State Board that meets or exceeds the standards adopted by the county board in the county of the virtual school’s principal place of business or the county designated under a written agreement between multiple county boards;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The same length of time for learning opportunities per academic year that is required for public school students, unless the virtual school can show that a student has demonstrated mastery or completion of the subject area;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Regular assessment in the core areas of instruction as required by regulations adopted by the State Board under § 7–1409 of this subtitle; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Access to the following services:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>To the extent practicable, extracurricular activities at the public school the student would otherwise be required to attend in person;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Notwithstanding any other law or regulation and subject to a participation agreement between the public school and the parent or guardian of the student, to the extent practicable, participation in organized athletics and on athletic teams at the public school the student would otherwise be required to attend in person;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Wraparound services;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Food and nutrition services; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Health care services equivalent to services available to students who receive in–person instruction in the public schools in the county.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>A curriculum adopted under subsection (a) of this section shall have:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>An interactive program with significant online components; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>An interactive social and emotional wellness component designed for a virtual school environment.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Beginning in the 2022–2023 school year, a virtual school shall follow the quality online education standards.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>After collaboration with local school systems, the Department shall establish in regulation the following standards for all virtual schools:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Student attendance requirements and reporting;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Student engagement and conduct;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Program quality metrics;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Tracking and use of student data; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Data reporting requirements.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>A county board shall adopt policies for the mandatory return to in–person instruction for students enrolled in a virtual school, including students who are failing academically after receiving the appropriate supports.</text>
  </level>
</section>
