HB 2781 would allow up to three school districts to test out e-learning programs for a limited number of days over the next three years and gives the State Board of Education control over the pilot program. At the end of those three years, the board would recommend whether to continue the e-learning days.
When an emergency hits, students would be able to learn digitally outside of school. Under the bill, school districts would have to make sure students worked at least five hours on those emergency days and find a way to verify that they actually participated.
The bill also requires that on these days, school districts are meeting special students' needs adequately and that districts train staff and students so they'll know what to do.
After the three-year pilot finishes, legislators could use the information they glean to create a statewide e-learning plan, reports the Chicago Tribune.
