281—15.5(256) Online learning program provided by a school district—online schools.
	15.5(1) Online learning program provided by a school district. A school district may provide an online learning program delivered primarily over the Internet that operates as an online school. Such a program is governed by Iowa Code section 256.41.
	15.5(2) Course content and delivery. Content and delivery provided by an online learning program established pursuant to this rule must meet the provisions of Iowa Code section 256.7(32)“c.” Grades in online courses are awarded based on Iowa Code section 256.43(3).
	15.5(3) Approval criteria. The department will maintain a list of approved school districts that provide course content through an online learning platform whose content and delivery meet the provisions of subrule 15.5(2).
	15.5(4) Approval process. School district providers of online course content or full-time online instruction will apply for approval to offer such services to Iowa districts and accredited nonpublic schools a minimum of once every five years on forms provided by the department. If a school district is providing full-time online instruction only to its resident students and not to any other students, the school district need not seek approval; however, the school district must ensure it meets the provisions of subrules 15.5(1) and 15.5(2). Applications may be received at any time; however, the department will give preference to applications received no later than May 1 during the year prior to the school year in which the provider intends to provide services. Applications received by the deadline of May 1 will be answered no later than June 1. An approved district provider under this rule will also apply in each year that any of these alterations take place, which are substantial in nature:
	a. 	The provider altered the courses or content offered by either adding or subtracting grade levels or subjects.
	b. 	The provider altered the delivery of the courses or content offered by altering the learning management system or delivery of assessments.
	c. 	The provider altered the evaluation of student learning used in the system.
	d. 	The provider altered the online learning content or delivery in any other way that may reasonably be considered material to a school district considering the use of a private provider.
[ARC 7789C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24]