HF 553

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:39am

A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying requirements for online learning providers;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.095, subdivision 7.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.095, subdivision 7, is amended to
read:

Subd. 7.

Department of Education.

(a) The department must review and
certify online learning providers. The online learning courses and programs must be
rigorous, aligned with state academic standards, and contribute to grade progression
in a single subject. deleted text begin Online learning providers must demonstrate to the commissioner
that online learning courses have equivalent standards or instruction, curriculum, and
assessment requirements as other courses offered to enrolled students. The online learning
provider must also demonstrate expectations for actual teacher contact time or other
student-to-teacher communication deleted text end new text begin The online learning provider must provide written
assurance that all courses meet state academic standards, and that the online learning
curriculum, instruction and assessment, expectations for actual teacher contact time or
other student-to-teacher communication, and academic support meet nationally recognized
professional standards and are demonstrated as such in a syllabus provided according to
the commissioner's requirements new text end . Once an online learning provider is approved under
this paragraph, all of its online learning course offerings are eligible for payment under
this section unless a course is successfully challenged by an enrolling district or the
department under paragraph (b).

(b) An enrolling district may challenge the validity of a course offered by an online
learning provider. The department must review such challenges based on the certification
procedures under paragraph (a). The department may initiate its own review of the validity
of an online learning course offered by an online learning provider.

(c) The department may collect a fee not to exceed $250 for certifying online
learning providers or $50 per course for reviewing a challenge by an enrolling district.

(d) The department must develop, publish, and maintain a list of approved online
learning providers and online learning courses and programs that it has reviewed and
certified.