Policy 624 - Online Learning Options

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to recognize and govern online learning options for students enrolled in the school district for purposes of compulsory attendance and address enrollment of students with an online learning provider for supplemental or full-time online learning. This policy applies to students enrolling with an external online learning provider or through Princeton Online MN. This policy includes parameters for the establishment of procedures relevant to this policy.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

1. The school district shall not prohibit an enrolled student from applying to enroll in online instruction. 
2. The school district shall grant academic credit for completing the requirements of an online instruction course or program. 
3. Secondary credits earned from online instruction are included in the calculation of the student’s GPA and class rank in the manner described in Princeton High School Student Handbook procedures and other relevant policies.
4. Students receiving online instruction, MSHSL activities eligibility is determined on the same basis as other enrolled students and will follow MSHSL guidelines, policies, bylaws and ISD477 Policy 510: Activities Program and other relevant district policies and Student Handbook procedures.
5. The superintendent shall be responsible for the development of procedures that ensure appropriate implementation of this policy.

III. DEFINITIONS

1. “Enrolling district” means the school district or charter school in which a student is enrolled under Minn. Stat. § 122A.22, Subd. 4, for purposes of compulsory education.
2. “Online course syllabus” is a written document that an online learning provider transmits to the enrolling school district using a format prescribed by the Commissioner of MDE (Commissioner) to identify the state academic standards embedded in an online course, the course content outline, required course assessments, expectations for actual teacher contact time, and other student-to teacher communications, and the academic support available to the online learning student.
3. “Blended instruction” is a form of digital learning that occurs when a student learns part-time in a supervised physical setting and part-time through online instruction.
4. “Blended learning” is a form of digital learning that occurs when a student learns part time in a supervised physical setting and part time through digital delivery of instruction, or a student learns in a supervised physical setting where technology is used as a primary method to deliver instruction.
5. “Online instruction” is a form of digital instruction that could occur when a student learns primarily through digital technology away from a supervised physical setting.
6. "Online instructional site" means a site that offers courses using online instruction and may enroll students receiving online instruction.
7. "Online teacher" means an employee of the enrolling district or the 624-2 supplemental online course provider who holds the appropriate licensure under Minnesota Rules, chapter 8710, and is trained to provide online instruction.
8. “Supplemental online learning” means an online course taken in place of a seat-based course period during the regular school day at a local district school in conjunction with other seat-based learning courses.
9. “Student” is a Minnesota resident enrolled in a public school, a nonpublic school, church or religious organization, or home school in which a child is provided instruction in compliance with Minnesota Statute.
10. “Supplemental Online Student” is an online student enrolled in less than or up to 50% of online courses per term.
11. "Supplemental online course provider" means a school district, an intermediate school district, an organization of two or more school districts operating under a joint powers agreement, or a charter school located in Minnesota that is authorized by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to provide supplemental online courses under paragraph K.
12. “POM” means Princeton Online MN.
13. “District” means ISD 477.
14. “MDE” means The Minnesota Department of Education.

IV. DIGITAL INSTRUCTION

1. An enrolling district may provide digital instruction, including blended instruction and online instruction, to the district's enrolled students. Enrolling districts may establish agreements to provide digital instruction, including blended instruction and online instruction, to students enrolled in the cooperating schools. 
2. When online instruction is provided, an online teacher shall perform all duties of a teacher of record under Minnesota Rules, part 8710.0310. Unless the Commissioner of MDE grants a waiver, a teacher providing online instruction shall not instruct more than 40 students in any one online learning course or section. 
3. Students receiving online instruction full-time shall be reported as enrolled in an online instructional site. 
4. The curriculum used for digital instruction shall be aligned with Minnesota's current academic standards and benchmarks. 
5. Digital instruction shall be accessible to students under section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. 
6. An enrolling district providing digital instruction and a supplemental online course provider shall assist an enrolled student whose family qualifies for the education tax credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0674 to acquire computer hardware and educational software so they may participate in digital instruction. Funds provided to a family to support digital instruction or supplemental online courses may only be used for qualifying expenses as determined by the provider. Nonconsumable materials purchased with public education funds remain the property of the provider. Records for any funds provided must be available for review by the public or MDE. 
7. An enrolling district providing digital instruction shall establish and document procedures for determining attendance for membership and keep accurate records of daily attendance under Minnesota Statutes, section 120A.21.

V. SUPPLEMENTAL ONLINE COURSES

1. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.03 and 124D.08 and Minnesota 624-3 Statutes, chapter 124E, procedures for applying to take supplemental online courses other than those offered by the student's enrolling district are as provided in this subdivision. 
2. Any kindergarten through grade 12 student may apply to take a supplemental online course. The student, or the student's parent or guardian for a student under age 17, must submit an application for the proposed supplemental online course or courses. A student may: 
   1. apply to take an online course from a supplemental online course provider that meets or exceeds the academic standards of the course in the enrolling district they are replacing; 
   2. apply to take supplemental online courses for up to 50 percent of the student's scheduled course load; and 
   3. apply to take supplemental online courses no later than 15 school days after the student's enrolling district's term has begun. An enrolling district may waive the 50 percent course enrollment limit or the 15-day time limit. 
3. A student taking a supplemental online course must have the same access to the computer hardware and education software available in a school as all other students in the enrolling district. 
4. A supplemental online course provider must have a current, approved application to be listed by MDE as an approved provider. The supplemental online course provider must: 
   1. use an application form specified by MDE; 
   2. notify the student, the student's guardian if they are age 17 or younger, and enrolling district of the accepted application to take a supplemental online course within ten days of receiving a completed application; 
   3. notify the enrolling district of the course title, credits to be awarded, and the start date of the online course. A supplemental online course provider must make the online course syllabus available to the enrolling district; 
   4. request applicable academic support information for the student, including a copy of the IEP, EL support plan, or 504 plan; and 
   5. track student attendance and monitor academic progress and communicate with the student, the student's guardian if they are age 17 or younger, and the enrolling district's designated online learning liaison. 
5. A supplemental online course provider may limit enrollment if the provider's school board or board of directors adopts by resolution specific standards for accepting and rejecting students' applications. The provisions may not discriminate against any protected class or students with disabilities. 
6. A supplemental online course provider may request that MDE review an enrolling district's written decision to not accept a student's supplemental online course application. The student may participate in the supplemental online course while the application is under review. Decisions shall be final and binding for both the enrolling district and the supplemental online course provider. 624-4 
7. A supplemental online course provider must participate in continuous improvement cycles with MDE.

VI. ENROLLING DISTRICT

1. An enrolling district may not restrict or prevent a student from applying to take supplemental online courses. 
2. An enrolling district may request an online course syllabus to review whether the academic standards in the online course meet or exceed the academic standards in the course it would replace at the enrolling district. 
3. Within 15 days after receiving notice of a student applying to take a supplemental online course, the enrolling district must notify the supplemental online course provider whether the student, the student's guardian, and the enrolling district agree that academic standards in the online course meet or exceed the academic standards in the course it would replace at the enrolling district. If the enrolling district does not agree that the academic standards in the online course meet or exceed the academic standards in the course it would replace at the enrolling district, then: 
   1. the enrolling district must provide a written explanation of the district's decision to the student, the student's guardian, and the supplemental online course provider; and 
   2. the online provider must provide a response to the enrolling district explaining how the course or program meets the graduation requirements of the enrolling district. 
4. An enrolling district may reduce the course schedule of a student taking supplemental online courses in proportion to the number of supplemental online learning courses the student takes. 
5. An enrolling district must appoint an online learning liaison who:
   1. provides information to students and families about supplemental online courses; 
   2. provides academic support information including IEPs, EL support plans, and 504 plans to supplemental online providers; and 
   3. monitors attendance and academic progress, and communicates with supplemental online learning providers, students, families, and enrolling district staff. 
6. An enrolling district must continue to provide support services to students taking supplemental online courses as they would for any other enrolled student including support for English learners, case management of an individualized education program, and meal and nutrition services for eligible students. 
7. An online learning student must receive academic credit for completing the requirements of a supplemental online learning course. If a student completes an online learning course that meets or exceeds a graduation standard or the grade progression requirement at the enrolling district, that standard or requirement is met. 
8. Secondary credits granted to a supplemental online learning student count toward the graduation and credit requirements of the enrolling district. The enrolling district must apply the same graduation requirements to all students, including students taking supplemental online courses. 
9. An enrolling district must provide access to extracurricular activities for students taking supplemental online courses on the same basis as any other enrolled student.

Legal References:

• Minn. Stat. § 120A.22 (Compulsory Instruction)
• Minn. Stat. § 120A.24 (Reporting)
• Minn. Stat. § 123B.42, Subd. 1 (Curriculum; Electronic Components)
• Minn. Stat. § 124D.03 (Enrollment Options Program)
• Minn. Stat. § 124D.09 (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act)
• Minn. Stat. § 124D.095 (Online Learning Option Act)
• Minn. Stat. § 124D.094 (Online Instruction Act)

Cross References:

• Princeton Public School Policy 509 (Enrollment of Nonresident Students)
• Princeton Public School Policy 605 (Alternative Programs)
• Princeton Public School Policy 613 (Graduation Requirements)
• Princeton Policy 620 (Credit for Learning) 

Adopted: May 22, 2007
Revised: April 22, 2008
Revised: August 9, 2011
Revised: September 2, 2014
Reviewed: February 16, 2016
Revised: January 17, 2017
Revised: February 18, 2020
Revised: March 16, 2021
Revised: April 16, 2024