Education System

Virtual Education

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For assistance, call 850-245-0502 or visit https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/virtual-edu/index.stml

What is the purpose of the program?

According to the Florida Department of Education, Florida has the largest K-12 state virtual education school in the nation. Florida's virtual schools and programs provide high quality online instruction and curriculum, which meet state and national standards. Virtual instruction is provided in an interactive learning environment created through technology in which students are separated from their teachers by time or space, or both.

How do district virtual education programs work?

Section 1002.45, Florida Statutes, establishes district virtual instruction programs. Each district must offer

full-time or part-time virtual instruction for students in grades K-12; and
a full-time or part-time virtual instruction program for students enrolled in dropout prevention and academic intervention programs, Department of Juvenile Justice programs, core-curricula courses to meet class size requirements, or Florida College System institutions offering a school district virtual instruction program.

To provide students residing within the school district the option of participating in virtual instruction programs, districts may

contract with the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) or establish a Florida Virtual School franchise;
contract with a provider approved by the Florida Department of Education (qualifications are listed in s. 1002.45(2), Florida Statutes);
enter into an agreement with another school district to allow the participation of its students in an approved virtual program provided by the other school district;
establish school district operated part-time or full-time kindergarten through grade 12 virtual instruction programs; or
enter into an agreement with a virtual charter school (qualifications are listed in s. 1002.33, Florida Statutes).

Districts that have a franchise with the FLVS have their own virtual school and deliver FLVS online courses to students within their districts. Students also have the option of taking online courses across district lines, and courses must be available during the normal school day. District-operated programs receive a school grade, and providers receive a statewide school grade or a school improvement rating, as applicable.

Is there a limit to the number of students districts can enroll in their virtual programs?

Section 1002.45, Florida Statutes, requires school districts to limit enrollment of full-time equivalent virtual students residing outside of the school district providing the virtual instruction to no more than 50 percent of the total enrolled full-time equivalent virtual students residing inside the school district providing the virtual instruction. A school district may not enroll more full-time equivalent out-of-district virtual students than the total number of reported full-time equivalent students residing inside the school district.

What is the Florida Virtual School?

The Florida Virtual School (FLVS) was established in 1997 as the country's first statewide Internet-based public high school. FLVS provides online education for grades K-12. The FLVS includes a full-time and a part-time option (Florida Virtual School Flex), and students attending FLVS Full Time who meet district graduation requirements are able to receive a Florida diploma from FLVS.FLVS also offers Global School to allow for students to take fully asynchronous internet-based courses while out of state or overseas on a flexible schedule.

Public school students who are enrolled in the FLVS full time must take all required statewide assessments, including any state-mandated end-of-course exams, and they must be taken at the school to which the student would be assigned according to district school board attendance areas. The FLVS receives a school grade for students receiving full-time instruction. Students in the part-time option enroll in mastery-based courses to supplement their educational program, and move through their coursework at a flexible pace that suits their schedule.

For both full- and part-time options, certified teachers communicate with students and parents on a regular basis through a variety of means, such as phone, email, text, and live lessons.The FLVS has a school comparison matrix on its website that shows the options that it offers.

What are virtual charter schools?

Section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, authorizes virtual charter schools to provide full-time online instruction to eligible K-12 students. To provide this instruction, a virtual charter school must contract with a Florida Department of Education approved provider of virtual instructional services.

What courses are offered through virtual education?

The Florida Department of Education maintains the Florida Online Course Catalog, which lists available digital learning courses offered by a DOE approved provider and the FLVS. The Florida Virtual School offers nearly 200 courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. The curriculum must align to state standards.

What are the potential benefits of virtual education?

There are potential benefits of virtual education, some of which include

providing advanced curriculum such as AP courses and dual enrollment to students to help them stand out on college admissions, earn college credit, and develop skills need for college and career success;
assisting students who have medical issues, or are engaged in time-consuming activities such as arts or sports, as well as at-risk students; and
assisting with credit recovery, which helps students graduate on time.

In addition, virtual education can help relieve classroom overcrowding. Section 1003.03, Florida Statutes, requires that district school boards consider adopting policies to encourage students to take courses from the Florida Virtual School and other virtual instruction options to meet the constitutional class size maximums. (Please visit our Government Program Summary on class size reduction.)

Are there eligibility requirements for students to participate in the program?

All students, including home education and private school students, are eligible to participate in all virtual instruction programs available in the state. The Florida Department of Education publishes a public virtual education options chart that lists program types and who those programs serve.

Are there any student requirements regarding virtual education?

Section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, requires all high school students to complete at least one online course to graduate. This requirement can be met through a course offered by the FLVS, a district virtual education program, a high school, or an online dual enrollment course. It also can be met by either completing a course in which a student earns a nationally recognized industry certification in information technology identified on the Career and Professional Education Industry Certification Funding List, or by passing the information technology certification examination without enrolling in or completing the corresponding course or courses.

Who is responsible for providing students in the program with computers and Internet access?

District Virtual Instruction Programs. Districts are responsible for providing each full-time student who qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunch and participates in a virtual instruction program with computer systems and access to or reimbursement for internet services if none are available at home.

Florida Virtual School. Students at the FLVS are responsible for providing their own computers and internet connection if they are accessing their courses from home. Students accessing courses from school are able to use school computers and connect to the internet at their schools.

How much does it cost parents to enroll their child in a virtual education program?

Virtual education programs are available at no charge to all Florida students. FLVS courses are free to all Florida students and are available to public, private, and home education students. Non-Florida students can take FLVS courses on a tuition basis through the FLVS Global School.

How are these activities funded?

Students enrolled in programs and courses offered by district virtual schools, virtual charters and the FLVS are funded through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). Funding is based on successful completions rather than enrollment and attendance. The school district providing the virtual instruction reports the full-time equivalent (FTE) virtual student enrollment and is funded for those students.

Updates

Florida Virtual School Assessments. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-73, Laws of Florida, which provides flexibility in administering assessments for Florida Virtual School full-time students of military families residing outside Florida. The law requires that such students be allowed to take statewide, standardized end-of-course assessments through a licensed, certified instructor or test administrator at their parent's or guardian's current military station.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Department of Education Should Help States Address Student Testing Issues and Financial Risks Associated with Virtual Schools, Particularly Virtual Charter Schools, GAO-22-104444, Government Accountability Office (GAO), January 2022
Snapshot 2022, Digital Learning Collaborative, January 2022
Florida’s Public Virtual Education Programs Fact Sheet, Florida Department of Education, September 2021
The Intersection of Career Readiness and Digital Learning, Digital Learning Collaborative, August 2021
Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2021, National Education Policy Center, May 2021
Florida Virtual School - Florida Education Finance Program - Attestation Examination, Auditor General Report 2020-198, April 2020

Websites of Interest
Blended and Online Learning Discovery of Florida
Blended Learning Universe
Digital Learning Collaborative
eSchool News
Florida Distance Learning Association
Florida Virtual School
Southern Regional Education Board, State and District Virtual Schools
U.S. Distance Learning Association

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Sections 1000.04(5), 1001.42(17)(a) and (23), 1002.20(6)(a), 1002.321, 1002.37, 1002.45, 1002.455, 1003.02(1)(i), 1003.03(3)(b), 1003.4282(4), 1003.498, 1003.499, 1007.27(1), 1011.61(1)(c)1.b.(III)(IV)(V)(VI), and 1011.62(11), Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Florida Department of Education, Office of K-12 School Choice, Virtual Education, 850-245-0502 or 1-800-447-1636, email: virtualeducation@fldoe.org
Florida Virtual School (FLVS), 1-800-374-1430
FLVS Elementary, 407-513-3604
Website