Education
BY ANGELA BONILLA & JULIANNA WASHBURN
CISD’s virtual school to continue after bill signed Texas school districts such as Conroe ISD will be able to continue their virtual schools, as Senate Bill 569 was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 6. What’s new Approved in a 28-2 Senate vote followed by a 109-32 House vote, SB 569 applies to Texas’ virtual learning framework for the more than 51,884 students currently enrolled statewide, a May 6 news release states. According to the news release from Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, enrollment in virtual schools is projected to double statewide by 2028. The bill is also “projected to expand access to high-quality digital and hybrid instruction for the 5.5 million currently enrolled Texas public school students.”
Lone Star College OKs 2026-27 calendar The Lone Star College board of trustees approved the academic calendar for the 2026-27 school year on May 1. The details Fall semester classes will start Aug. 24, 2026, and end Dec. 13, 2026, according to the approved calendar. Spring semester classes will begin Jan. 19, 2027, and last through May 16, 2027. The calendar includes no-class days for holidays such as: • Labor Day holiday: Sept. 5-7, 2026 • Thanksgiving holiday: Nov. 25-29, 2026 • Winter holidays: Dec. 21, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027 • Spring break: March 15-21, 2027 • Spring holiday: March 26-28, 2027 • Memorial Day holiday: May 29-31, 2027
Senate Bill 569 The bill includes the following:
Replaces existing virtual learning laws with a clear structure Allows students to enroll in up to three individual virtual Advanced Placement courses, dual-credit courses or specialized electives that may not be available at their local school Provides flexibilities for work-based learning students Enables high school students to earn an associate degree Prevents school districts from requiring virtual enrollment and from forcing in- person teachers to teach virtual classes without training Creates standards and accountability measures for virtual education providers
SOURCE: SEN. PAUL BETTENCOURT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What they’re saying “We’re excited ... to continue this innovative program and expand it to serve our community’s needs,” CISD officials said in a May 8 statement.
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