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These Frequently Asked Questions provide answers about MN Statute Online Learning Option 124D.095. Academic credit, enrollment, application deadlines, access to technology are addressed.
Is online learning open to all Minnesota K-12 students? Is online learning open to all Minnesota K-12 students?Minnesota Statute 124D.095 Online Learning Option, allows a student to apply to a certified online learning provider to enroll in online learning for supplemental classes, in addition to their resident school enrollment or full-time as an student transferring to another public school. A student age 17 or younger must have the written consent of a parent or guardian to apply. No school district or charter school may prohibit a student from applying to enroll in online learning. (MS 124D.095 Subd 3a). An online learning student may enroll during a single school year in a maximum of 12 semester-long courses or their equivalent delivered by an online learning provider or the home district of the student. How is high school credit counted for an online course?All of the certified online learning providers offer credit and courses that meet state academic standards that is accepted at the resident or enrolling public school. An online learning student must receive academic credit for completing the requirements of an online learning course or program. Secondary credits granted to an online learning student must be counted toward the graduation and credit requirements of the enrolling district. The enrolling district must apply the same graduation requirements to all students, including online learning students, and must continue to provide nonacademic services to online learning students. If a student completes an online learning course or program that meets or exceeds a graduation standard or grade progression requirement at the enrolling district, that standard or requirement is met. The enrolling district must use the same criteria for accepting online learning credits or courses as it does for accepting credits or courses for transfer students under section 124D.03, subdivision 9. [MS 124D.095 Subd4] How does a student enroll in online learning?Enrollment in online learning depends on whether the student is maintaining their enrollment at the school district in which they are currently enrolled (supplemental online learning) or transferring to a full time online learning program (comprehensive online learning). Enrollment in online learning must be within full time student status (12 semester classes per year) and be scheduled during the academic year.
To enroll in a charter school, contact the charter school and apply to enroll following the school’s procedures. Once accepted, the school will notified the student’s resident district of the change of public school enrollment. There are not state-mandated deadlines for enrollment in a public charter school. Contact the individual charter school for the school’s enrollment process. Can a student participate in online learning courses beyond being a full-time student?They can participate at their own expense or at the district’s expense, but they will not generate additional funding for the school district. The enrolling (resident) district may reduce the teacher contact time of an online learning student in proportion to the number of online learning courses the student takes from an online learning provider that is not the enrolling district (MS 124D.095 subd 3d). The statute states that enrollment in additional courses, beyond full time status, with the online learning provider is permitted under a separate agreement that includes terms for payment of any tuition or course fees. (subd 4b3). The public school student must first be offered a reduction of instructional contact time in the enrolling district so that full time status is not exceeded. Can home school or non-public school students participate in online learning from a certified provider and generate state funding for online learning?Minnesota nonpublic school students must become full time public school students to be eligible to generate funding for public online learning courses. If you have specific questions relating to funding, please contact Sharon Peck at (651) 582-8811 or e-mail Sharon at sharon.peck@state.mn.us. Non-public school students (home and private school students) can generate funding through the shared-time aid law (M.S. 126C.19), but the students must participate in core curriculum from a public school building. Therefore, non-public school students can generate shared time aid for online learning only for the number of hours they access the course from a computer in a public school building. Can an online learning provider limit enrollment?An online learning provider may limit enrollment if the provider’s school board or board of directors adopts by resolution specific standards for accepting or rejecting students’ applications. MSBA/MASA Policy Model 624 provides a summary of the statute as it relates to online learning enrollment for review or approval by school districts. The law specifically states that no school districts or charter schools may prohibit a student from applying to enroll in online learning. Can a resident or enrolling district limit enrollment?No school district or charter school district may prohibit a student from applying to enroll in a certified online learning program even if the courses are offered at the local school site. The choice is the student and family’s regarding whether to participate in online learning classes. The enrolling district may limit instructional contact in proportion to the student’s online learning enrollment to assure the student doesn't’t exceed full time student status. If the enrolling school permits over-enrollment by the student, the enrolling district will have a reduction of state aid in support for the student enrolling in online learning above 1.0 average daily membership (ADM). Are there deadlines for student application to online learning and notifications to students and resident districts?An online learning provider that accepts a student must, within ten days, notify the student and the enrolling district if the enrolling district is not the online learning provider. The notice must report the student’s course or program and hours of instruction. An online learning student must notify the enrolling district at least 30 days before taking an online learning course or program if the enrolling district is not providing the online learning. An online learning provider must notify the commissioner that it is delivering online learning and report the number of online learning students it is accepting and the online courses and programs it is delivering. (MS 124D.095 Subd 3 a and b). Do teachers of online courses need to be licensed in Minnesota?Yes, a properly licensed, highly qualified Minnesota teacher must assemble and deliver instruction to online learning students enrolled in certified programs. The delivery of instruction occurs when the student interacts with the computer or the teacher and receives ongoing assistance and assessment of learning. The instruction may include curriculum developed by persons other than a teacher with a Minnesota license. Is there a limit on the number of students enrolling in a single course or program?Unless the commissioner grants a waiver, a teacher providing online learning instruction must not instruct more than 40 students in any one online learning course or program. What school is responsible for comprehensive student enrollment when a student registers for online learning classes outside of their enrolling (local) school?The student and family determine where comprehensive enrollment occurs. Continued enrollment in the brick and mortar local school requires that all grade level and graduation requirements are met at that district, OLL courses are transferred in and that the enrolling school continues to provide non-academic services. The student may access instruction through public online learning by taking between 1 to 12 semester credits online and remain enrolled in their local school. There are online schools that provide comprehensive programs that grant high school diplomas and others that provide supplemental online learning instruction (enrollment is maintained at the local brick and mortar school). How does the student get access to necessary technology for online learning?An online learning student has the same access to the computer hardware and education software available in a school as all other students in the enrolling district. An online learning provider must assist an online learning student whose family qualifies for the education tax credit under section 290.0674 to acquire computer hardware and educational software for online learning purposes. How do schools pay for online courses?The state pays for the instruction of K-12 public education the funding goes directly to the program or school providing instruction. If the student stays enrolled in the local or enrolling school, then a portion of the funding stays with the local school even during the time designated for online learning to support continued services to the student. If the student transfers to a full time online learning program, the new (online learning) enrolling school receives full funding for the public school student. Who can I contact with questions about K-12 online learning in Minnesota? Please contact Karen Johnson at karen.m.johnson@state.mn.us or mde.school-choice@state.mn.us 651-582-8733 at the Minnesota Department of Education with program questions. Source: Minnesota Department of Education Page last updated in August 2008.
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K-12 Online Learning
