File:  IJNDAB - Instruction through Online Courses

The Board of Education believes online education courses that are supplemental to the district's education program may serve as an effective tool to expand the educational opportunities for students at all levels of achievement. Online courses can enhance, supplement or enrich the existing curriculum and can also provide an alternative means of instruction.

The district's approved online education program will be part of the district's educational program to increase accessibility and flexibility in the delivery of instruction for students in grades seven through twelve.

To the extent practicable, an effort will be made to determine that online education courses made available to students are consistent with district instructional goals, aligned with Colorado's academic standards and taught by teachers licensed in Colorado.  The administration is directed to periodically review instructional materials of online courses to ensure they meet program standards.  Further, such courses must provide the opportunity for substantial, personal and timely interactions between district online administrator, students, and online instructors.

Application process

Students shall obtain the written approval of the principal or his/her designee before enrolling in an online course.  To obtain permission, a student shall do the following:

  Complete prerequisites and provide teacher/counselor recommendations confirming that the student possesses the maturity level needed to function effectively in an online learning environment.

  Agree to adhere to district policies, procedures and rules, including but not limited to the district's policy on student use of the Internet.

  Agree to adhere to the district's attendance requirements.

Credit toward graduation requirements

High school students may earn academic credit to be applied toward graduation requirements by satisfactorily completing online courses.  The principal and/or online administrator will determine the number of credits that may be applied toward graduation.  A student may submit a written request explaining unusual circumstances that make it necessary for the student to take additional online courses to satisfy the district's graduation requirements.

Credit to satisfy graduation requirements from the district's online course may be earned only in the following circumstances:

1.  The high school offers the course, but the student is unable to take it due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict;

2.  The principal, with agreement from the student's teachers and parents/guardians, determines the student requires a differentiated or accelerated learning environment.

The school must receive an official record of the student's final grade in the online course before awarding credit toward graduation.  Only online courses approved by the district shall be included on student transcripts.

East Otero School District will pay the tuition for the district's approved online courses taken during the academic year that will be used for credit to satisfy the district's graduation requirements.  The district's payment of tuition could be limited per student per semester, unless the principal and/or online administrator has approved a student's request to take additional courses to satisfy the district's graduation requirements.  There may be circumstances where a student is taking an online education course, such as during the summer to make up needed credit, where the student will be responsible for the tuition payment.

Expelled students

The district's online education program may be offered as a means to provide educational alternatives for expelled students.  The district shall determine the amount of credit the student shall receive toward graduation for the online courses and the amount of tuition that will be paid by the district for these courses, in accordance with state law.

Adopted July 11, 2011

LEGAL REFS.:  C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1) (t) (board's duty to determine the educational program)

C.R.S. 22-32-122 (authorizes the board to contract for educational services)

C.R.S. 22-57-101  (financing of supplemental online education courses)

CROSS REFS:  IKF, Graduation Requirements (For Students Graduating Prior to 2021)

JKF*, Educational Alternatives for Expelled Students

JS*, Student Use of the Internet and Electronic Communications

NOTE:  School districts with fewer than 3,000 students (that do not export an online education program to students outside the district) may apply to the supplemental online education grant program to assist the school district in providing supplemental online education courses to students.  The program is intended to remove financial and technical barriers to providing supplemental online education courses.  C.R.S. 22-2-130.