Digital Learning Department

Definitions

An online course is one where:

• More than half of the course content is delivered electronically using the internet or other computer-based methods.
• More than half of the teaching is conducted from a remote location through an online course learning management system or other online or electronic tools.

Additionally:

• A course can be taught synchronously, asynchronously, or both.
• The role of the teacher is to ensure student learning and success. This role may be accomplished through a variety of teaching methods, including but not limited to: direct instruction; review of assignments; assessment, testing and other progress monitoring; and educational facilitation.
• A remote location is any location where there is no “face-to-face” student-teacher interaction.

Responsibilities

If your district offers online courses to students, via any of the ways noted above, then your district has the following responsibilities:

• Funding restrictions
• CEDARS Reporting
• District Policy and Procedures

Funding Restrictions

Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, school districts may claim state basic education funding, to the extent otherwise allowed by state law, for students enrolled in online courses only if the online courses are:

• Offered by an approved multidistrict online course provider; or
• Offered by a school district online learning program if the program serves students who reside within the geographic boundaries of the school district, including school district programs in which fewer than ten percent of the program's students reside outside the school district's geographic boundaries; or
• Offered by a regional online learning program where courses are jointly developed and offered by two or more school districts or an educational service district through an interdistrict cooperative program agreement.

Districts may claim state basic education funding for non-approved courses if the course meets the criteria for district use of non-approved courses. Note also that students cannot be charged for courses claimed for state funding or for courses that are a part of the student's free basic education, defined by the 1,000 annual average instructional hours delivered to the student.

CEDARS Reporting

All courses that meet the definition of an “Online Course” must be entered into the CEDARS data system with the “Online” Course Designation Code (Element D07). Course codes are generally entered into a district's student information system, and then transferred to CEDARS on a regular basis.

District Policy and Procedures

By August 31, 2010, all school district boards of directors are required to develop a set of online learning policies and procedures. These documents cover student eligibility criteria, the types of online courses available to students through the school district, the methods districts will use to support student success, when the school district will and will not pay course fees and other costs, and more.

Can't find an answer?

Contact us; we're happy to help you!