VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL PARENTING COURSE

House Bill 6284

Sponsor:  Rep. Tom Meyer

Committee:  Education

Complete to 9-18-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6284 AS INTRODUCED 6-29-06

House Bill 6284 would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1481) to require the inclusion, within the Michigan Virtual High School course offerings, of a course on parenting education, and then also require high schools to offer that course as an elective.

Currently under the law, the Michigan virtual high school course offerings must include at least the following:  information technology courses; college level equivalent courses; courses and dual enrollment opportunities; at-risk programs and services; general education development (GED) test preparation courses for adjudicated youth; special interest courses; and professional development programs and services for teachers.  House Bill 6284 would retain these provisions, and add a course in parenting education.  Further, the bill would require a school district or charter school operating a high school to offer this course as an elective for high school students. 

In addition, the bill requires that the board of a school district or charter school grant appropriate academic credit to a student who successfully completed any Michigan Virtual High School course.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The estimated cost to the Michigan Virtual High School (MVHS) to create a new course ranges from $25,000 to $75,000 on average.  The actual cost to develop the course is dependent on how much information is currently available on the subject and then transforming the material into an educational course.

 

The estimated cost to a school district to provide a single semester online course through the MVHS is between $250 and $275 per student.  Districts that currently do not participate with the MVHS may also incur costs related to required technology upgrades.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mary Ann Cleary

                                                                                                                           Bethany Wicksall

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.