To update Rule 6A-6.0982; Form VSP-03 Online Course Provider Approval Application; Form VSP-04 Application for Currently Approved Online Course Provider; and Form VSP-05 Online Course Provider Renewal Approval Application.....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-6.0982Florida Approved Online Course Providers

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To update Rule 6A-6.0982; Form VSP-03 Online Course Provider Approval Application; Form VSP-04 Application for Currently Approved Online Course Provider; and Form VSP-05 Online Course Provider Renewal Approval Application.

SUMMARY: The rule and applications will be updated to reflect new web links and to change the iNACOL requirements to the National Standards for Quality for online courses.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed rule will have no regulatory cost and no negative economic impact and will not require legislative ratification. This amendment updates the applications to reflect new learning gain expectations for programs approved for drop-out prevention and credit recovery programs and to change the iNACOL requirements to the National Standards for Quality for online programs and courses.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(1), (n), 1002.45, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.499(2)(b), F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: August 18, 2021, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 254 N.E. 4th St., Building 3, Chapman Conference Room 3210, Miami, FL 33132.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Sandy Eggers, Virtual Education Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1044, Tallahassee, Fl. 32399, [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-6.0982 Florida Approved Online Course Providers.

(1) Purpose. Section 1003.499(2), Florida Statutes (F.S.) requires the Commissioner of Education to annually publish online a list of providers approved to offer Florida approved courses.

(2)(a) Application Form. Form VSP-03, Online Course Provider Approval Application (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09626), for becoming an approved online course provider, will be used for those online course providers applying for approved status from the Department of Education. Form VSP-03 is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule to become effective September 2021 August 2018 .

(b) Application Form. Form VSP-04, Application for Currently Approved Online Course Provider (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09627), for a currently approved online course provider to add new courses to their approval, will be used for online course providers applying for additional online course approval status from the Department of Education. Form VSP-04 is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule to become effective September 2021 August 2018.

(c) Application Form. Form VSP-05, Online Course Provider Renewal Approval Application (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09628), for renewing an approved provider, will be used for those online course providers applying for renewal approval status from the Department of Education. Form VSP-05 is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule to become effective September 2021 August 2018. Copies of Form VSP-03, VSP-04, and VSP-05 may be obtained by contacting the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(3) Application. The applications to become an approved online course provider, renewal, or for new course approval will be available at https://fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/virtual-edu/provider-resources/  https://floridacourseprovider.fluidreview.com beginning September 1 of each year for the following school year and must be accessed and submitted electronically. The deadline for filing the applications is September 30.

(a) No change.

1. through 2. No change.

3. At least two (2) years of cohort data from teacher developed End-of-Course assessments or semester examinations; or

4. At least two (2) years of cohort data from pre- and post-assessments delivered for a course, which assessment is not covered under another category; or

(b) In accordance with Section 1003.499(3)(a)6., F.S., the applicant ensures instructional and curricular quality through a detailed curriculum and student performance accountability plan that addresses every subject and grade level that the applicant intends to provide. The curriculum plan must include evidence:

1. That the applicant meets the standards of the National Standards for Quality Online Courses, formerly provided by the International Standards of Quality for Online Courses;. International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL),

2. through 3. No change.

(c) No change.

(4) The Department of Education will review each complete application and provide the applicant with a written decision regarding the approval or denial of the application no later than forty-five (45) calendar days after the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Approved online course providers will be posted to the website: http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/virtual-edu/provider-resources/approved-providers/  http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/virtual-edu/approved-provider-resources/approved-providers/.

(5) through (7) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1003.499, 1008.31 FS. Law Implemented 1003.499, 1008.31 FS. History–New 12-23-14, Amended 7-28-15, 10-30-16, 10-17-17, 8-21-18,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Sandy Eggers, Virtual Education Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Richard Corcoran, Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 16, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 13, 2021