281—15.7(256) Online learning program provided by a school district—online schools.
	15.7(1) Online learning program provided by a school district. A school district may provide an online learning program delivered primarily over the Internet which operates as an online school. Such a program shall do all of the following with regard to instruction and content:
	a. 	Monitor and verify full-time student enrollment, timely completion of graduation requirements, course credit accrual, and course completion.
	b. 	Monitor and verify student progress and performance in each course through a school-based assessment plan that includes submission of coursework and security and validity of testing components.
	c. 	Conduct parent-teacher conferences.
	d. 	Administer assessments required by the state to all students in a proctored setting and pursuant to state law.
	15.7(2) Course content and delivery. Content and delivery provided by an online learning program established pursuant to this rule must meet the following requirements:
	a. 	Courses are taught by teachers licensed under Iowa Code chapter 272.
	b. 	Courses are taught by teachers who have specialized training or experience in online learning including but not limited to an online-learning-for-Iowa-educators-professional-development project offered by area education agencies, a teacher preservice program, comparable coursework, or relevant experience.
	c. 	Courses provide access to rigorous, high-quality content and instructional materials aligned with the Iowa core content standards and blended learning.
	d. 	Courses provide content and instructional practices aligned with the national standards of quality for online courses issued by an internationally recognized association for kindergarten through grade 12 online learning.
	e. 	Grades in online courses are based, at a minimum, on whether a student mastered the subject, demonstrated competency, and met the standards established by the school district. Grades may be conferred only by teachers licensed under Iowa Code chapter 272.
	15.7(3) Approval criteria. The department shall maintain a list of approved school districts that provide course content through an online learning platform whose content and delivery meets the requirements of subrule 15.7(2).
	15.7(4) Approval process. School district providers of online course content or full-time online instruction shall apply for approval to offer such services to Iowa districts and accredited nonpublic schools a minimum of once every three 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 requirements of subrules 15.7(1) and 15.7(2). Applications must be received by the department no later than January 1 during the year prior to the school year in which the provider intends to provide services. Applications received by the deadline of January 1 will be answered no later than February 1. An approved provider under this rule shall also apply in each year that any of the following apply:
	a. 	The provider has substantially altered the courses or content offered by either adding or subtracting grade levels or subjects.
	b. 	The provider has substantially altered the delivery of the courses or content offered by altering the learning management system or delivery of assessments.
	c. 	The provider has substantially altered the evaluation of student learning used in the system.
	d. 	The provider has substantially altered the online learning content or delivery in any other way that may reasonably be considered material to a district considering the use of a private provider.
[ARC 5740C, IAB 6/30/21, effective 8/4/21]