1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; modifying requirements for online learning providers; 
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.095, subdivision 7.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.095, subdivision 7, is amended to 
1.6 	read:
1.7 		Subd. 7.Department of Education. (a) The department must review and 
1.8 	certify online learning providers. The online learning courses and programs must be 
1.9 	rigorous, aligned with state academic standards, and contribute to grade progression 
1.10 	in a single subject. Online learning providers must demonstrate to the commissioner 
1.11 	that online learning courses have equivalent standards or instruction, curriculum, and 
1.12 	assessment requirements as other courses offered to enrolled students. The online learning 
1.13 	provider must also demonstrate expectations for actual teacher contact time or other 
1.14 	student-to-teacher communication The online learning provider must provide written 
1.15 	assurance that all courses meet state academic standards, and that the online learning 
1.16 	curriculum, instruction and assessment, expectations for actual teacher contact time or 
1.17 	other student-to-teacher communication, and academic support meet nationally recognized 
1.18 	professional standards and are demonstrated as such in a syllabus provided according to 
1.19 	the commissioner's requirements. Once an online learning provider is approved under 
1.20 	this paragraph, all of its online learning course offerings are eligible for payment under 
1.21 	this section unless a course is successfully challenged by an enrolling district or the 
1.22 	department under paragraph (b).
1.23 	(b) An enrolling district may challenge the validity of a course offered by an online 
1.24 	learning provider. The department must review such challenges based on the certification 
2.1 	procedures under paragraph (a). The department may initiate its own review of the validity 
2.2 	of an online learning course offered by an online learning provider.
2.3 	(c) The department may collect a fee not to exceed $250 for certifying online 
2.4 	learning providers or $50 per course for reviewing a challenge by an enrolling district.
2.5 	(d) The department must develop, publish, and maintain a list of approved online 
2.6 	learning providers and online learning courses and programs that it has reviewed and 
2.7 	certified.