6A-6.0982. Florida Approved Online Course Providers

(1) Purpose. Section 1003.499(2), 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-15734), 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 August 2023.

(b) Application Form. Form VSP-04, Application for Currently Approved Online Course Provider (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15735), 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 August 2023.

(c) Application Form. Form VSP-05, Online Course Provider Renewal Approval Application (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-15736), 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 August 2023. 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/ 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) Pursuant to Section 1003.499(3)(a)5., F.S., the applicant must possess prior, successful experience offering online courses to elementary, middle, or high school students as demonstrated by quantified student learning gains or student growth in each subject area and grade level provided for consideration as an instructional program option. Learning gains data for at least two (2) complete school years from one (1) of the following sources must be submitted for each course submitted for approval in this application:

1. At least two (2) years of cohort data from a state-administered summative assessment, approved to meet federal (e.g., ESSA) accountability requirements, including state-administered End-of-Course (EOC) assessments (Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology 1, U.S. History, and Civics).

For course subjects not addressed by state assessments:

2. At least two (2) years of cohort data from nationally standardized summative achievement tests. At a minimum, Provider must provide data from category 1 or 2 in language arts and mathematics. The following evidence of learning gains must be submitted for all other subject areas and grade levels:

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

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 International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL);

2. That the applicant’s online program and courses meet the standards of the National Standards for Quality Online Courses;

3. That its courses and services are aligned to the Florida Student Performance Standards adopted in Rule 6A-1.09401, F.A.C., which is incorporated by reference herein, and measure student attainment of those standards. Each course must align to the course descriptions and benchmarks established pursuant to Rule 6A-1.09412, F.A.C., which is incorporated by reference herein, including:

a. Where the standard is taught in the course,

b. How the standard is taught; and,

c. How mastery is assessed.

File names for course alignment documents must include the Florida course codes and titles specified in Florida’s most current Course Code Directory incorporated in Rule 6A-1.09441, F.A.C., which is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of Rules 6A-1.09401, 6A-1.09412 and 6A-1.09441, F.A.C., may be obtained by contacting the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

4. That mechanisms are in place to determine and ensure students have satisfied course requirements. Mechanisms should include:

a. The use of formative and interim assessments,

b. A multi-tiered system of student supports, interventions and assistance to ensure student progression toward promotion and graduation requirements,

c. Curriculum development, activities and assessments based on principles that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn, supporting flexibility in representation, expression, and engagement,

d. Electronic and information technology accessible to persons with disabilities; and,

e. Strategies to ensure comprehensible instruction for students with limited English proficiency.

Upon request, the applicant will provide access for a virtual walk-through of courses during the review phase of the application process.

(c) The applicant must disclose on a prominent place on its website the disclosure information required under Section 1003.499(3)(a)7., F.S. Average student-teacher ratios are to be calculated for each course. Teacher load (the total number of students assigned to a teacher) must also be provided. Student completion rate calculations are to include all students who are enrolled in the course for more than fourteen (14) days. Student performance accountability outcomes are to include student assessment results for all students and by the following subgroups: major racial and ethnic groups, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency. “Major racial and ethnic groups” shall include those groups reported for accountability purposes under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in any state or, if no such prior reporting is available, shall include, at a minimum: American Indian, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic, and White. If the course has an EOC, the applicant will publish the results on the website. All disclosure of student performance data must comply with Sections 1002.22 and 1002.221, F.S., by avoiding the disclosure of personally identifiable student information. Assessment data for less than ten (10) students must be redacted to prevent disclosure of identifiable student information.

(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/.

(5) Notice of Denial. If the application is denied, the applicant will receive written notification identifying the specific areas of deficiency. The applicant shall have thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the notice of denial to resolve any outstanding issues, and resubmit its application for reconsideration. The applicant will receive a final written notice of approval or denial. If any application is denied a second time, the department will provide a final written notice to the applicant indicating that the application has been administratively closed and that the provider may apply during the next application phase in accordance with subsection (3) of this rule.

(6) Course provider approval will be in effect for three (3) years.

(7) Revocation. The department shall revoke the approval of a course provider who fails to maintain compliance with all the requirements of Section 1003.499(3), F.S., or who fails to implement the course(s) as submitted and approved.

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, 9-21-21, 9-20-22, 8-22-23.