The guidelines include information about recruitment of students, admissions (including “choice” transfers and inter-district agreements), and district responsibilities around providing a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).
The guidelines are available here.
While the DLD offers general support and resources around online learning, three of the most useful tools for educators are:
The model agreement contract template and instructions are available here: http://digitallearning.k12.wa.us/about/districts/agreements/
The model covers a number of topics, including:
• Provider and district responsibilities
• Program management and oversight
• State and federal compliance
• Pricing, invoices, and payment
• Student services
• School records and reporting
OSPI’s Digital Learning Department (DLD) is available to provide technical assistance at your request. Contact the DLD at http://digitallearning.k12.wa.us/contact.php to learn more about how the office can assist your district.
The Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) and OSPI have collaborated to create a model online learning policy and procedures that districts may use in their development process. You can see the model policy and procedures here.
School districts are required to submit their final online learning policy and procedures to OSPI by September 15, 2010. To submit, email the documents to dldinfo@k12.wa.us.
We're available to provide technical assistance at your request. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist your district.
]]>Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5410, passed by the 2009 Washington State Legislature, requires multidistrict online providers to be approved by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, only those online learning programs or courses provided by approved multidistrict online providers will qualify for state basic education funding, except as provided for in this new law. School districts currently operating online learning programs, or those intending to start new online learning programs, should determine if their programs are subject to this approval requirement.
Not all online programs or course providers are considered “multi-district online providers” under SSB 5410. Generally speaking, a school district could be considered a “multi-district online provider” – and therefore subject to OSPI review and approval – if the district offers online courses or online programs to students living outside the geographic boundaries of the district. The attached definitions from SSB 5410 lay out a number of specific criteria that programs must meet in order to be considered a multi-district online provider.
To see if your program qualifies for review, use this form.
The review process is detailed here.
Applications are due January 31, 2010 by 5:00 pm. The web-based application form may be edited online as many times as needed prior to the deadline.
Potential applicants should closely examine the full timeline, as well as the approval criteria and assurances.
OSPI will be offering several webinars for multi-district online providers who plan to apply.
For more details, and to register for a webinar, visit the events calendar.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the review process or your program’s status.
]]>The 2009 Washington State Legislature, in Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5410, indicated its support of online learning, finding that it “provides tremendous opportunities for students to access curriculum, courses, and a unique learning environment that might not otherwise be available.” SSB 5410 laid out an agenda to begin to ensure that students receive quality online education and that the state’s money is well spent by districts offering online programs. An important initial step is a full understanding of the ways online learning has been used in Washington.
To this end, SSB 5410 calls for a “review of online courses and programs offered to students during the 2008–09 school year to create a baseline of information about part-time, full-time, and interdistrict student enrollment; how courses and programs are offered and overseen; contract terms and funding arrangements; the fiscal impact on school district levy bases and levy equalization from interdistrict student enrollment; student-to-teacher ratios; course and program completion and success rates; student retention and dropout rates; and how issues such as student assessment, special education, and teacher certification are addressed.” The review was also to include “the level of funding provided for online course and program enrollment relative to the basic education general allocation, particularly for alternative learning experience programs. The assessment shall include but not be limited to a comparison of staffing ratios and costs, nonemployee-related costs, and facility requirements; and an analysis of the appropriate share of per-student allocations between resident districts and serving districts given the requirements for monthly progress reviews and direct personal contact.”
]]>A public hearing on the proposed rules regarding the approval criteria and process will be held on October 27th from 9-10:30 at the OSPI Annex, 234 East 8th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98504.
OSPI will accept comments about the proposed rules. The deadline for submitting comments is October 30, 2009, 5pm.
All WA educators are invited to attend to learn more about online learning and the integration of technology through powerful teaching and peer coaching.
Held at the Blackriver Technology & Conference Center in Renton, the training is free, with hosted lunch and breakfast. Attendees may also earn clock hours at the event.
To learn more, visit the DLC.
]]>We’ve also created a new section of the website dedicated to the provider approval process. In the coming months, we’ll post information about the process here. Stay tuned!
The committee immediately went to work providing advice to OSPI regarding, among other things, the approval criteria for multidistrict online providers. Read a draft of that criteria--as well as other committee documents--here.
The next OLAC meeting is scheduled for September 16. Check back for updates at the end of the month.
]]>To help you start the year off on the right path, we invite you to participate in these featured trainings in August and September:
Find a training or contact DLD Training Manager Maile Hadley at (206) 543-5426 or Maile.Hadley@k12.wa.us.
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