22.1-212.25 - Information regarding online courses and virtual programs; report. - Virginia Statutes

§ 22.1-212.25. Information regarding online courses and virtual programs;report.

A. The Department of Education shall develop and maintain a website thatprovides objective information for students, parents, and educators regardingonline courses and virtual programs offered through local school boards bymultidivision online providers that have been approved in accordance with §22.1-212.24. The website shall include information regarding the overallinstructional programs, the specific content of individual online courses andonline programs, a direct link to each multidivision online provider'swebsite, how to register for online learning programs and courses, teacherqualifications, course completion rates, and other evaluative and comparativeinformation. The website shall also provide information regarding the processand criteria for approving multidivision online providers. Multidivisiononline providers shall provide the Department of Education the requiredinformation for the website as a condition of maintaining Board approval.

B. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop model policies andprocedures regarding student access to online courses and online learningprograms that may be used by local school divisions.

Nothing in this article shall be deemed to require a local school division toadopt model policies or procedures developed pursuant to this section.

C. Beginning November 1, 2011, and annually thereafter, the Board ofEducation shall include in its annual report to the Governor and the GeneralAssembly information regarding multidivision online learning during theprevious school year. The information shall include but not be limited tostudent demographics, course enrollment data, parental satisfaction,aggregated student course completion and passing rates, and activities andoutcomes of course and provider approval reviews. The November 1, 2011,report shall be an interim progress report and include information on thecriteria and processes adopted by the Board and outcomes of providerapplications.

D. By July 1, 2011, local school boards shall post on their websitesinformation regarding online courses and programs that are available throughthe school division. Such information shall include but not be limited to thetypes of online courses and programs available to students through the schooldivision, when the school division will pay course fees and other costs fornonresident students, and the granting of high school credit.

(2010, cc. 537, 817.)