162.1250. State funding for resident students enrolled in virtual program--calculation of funding--standards for virtual courses.
State funding for resident students enrolled in virtualprogram--calculation of funding--standards for virtual courses.
162.1250. 1. School districts shall receive state school fundingunder sections 163.031, 163.043, and 163.087, RSMo, for resident studentswho are enrolled in the school district and who are taking a virtual courseor full-time virtual program offered by the school district. The schooldistrict may offer instruction in a virtual setting using technology,intranet, and Internet methods of communications that could take placeoutside of the regular school district facility. The school district maydevelop a virtual program for any grade level, kindergarten through twelfthgrade, with the courses available in accordance with district policy to anyresident student of the district who is enrolled in the school district.Nothing in this section shall preclude a private, parochial, or home schoolstudent residing within a school district offering virtual courses orvirtual programs from enrolling in the school district in accordance withthe combined enrollment provisions of section 167.031, RSMo, for thepurposes of participating in the virtual courses or virtual programs.
2. Charter schools shall receive state school funding under section160.415, RSMo, for students enrolled in the charter school who arecompleting a virtual course or full-time virtual program offered by thecharter school. Charter schools may offer instruction in a virtual settingusing technology, intranet, and Internet methods of communications. Thecharter school may develop a virtual program for any grade level,kindergarten through twelfth grade, with the courses available inaccordance with school policy and the charter school's charter to anystudent enrolled in the charter school.
3. For purposes of calculation and distribution of state schoolfunding, attendance of a student enrolled in a district or charter schoolvirtual class shall equal, upon course completion, ninety-four percent ofthe hours of attendance possible for such class delivered in the nonvirtualprogram in the student's resident district or charter school. Coursecompletion shall be calculated in two increments, fifty percent completionand one hundred percent completion, based on the student's completion ofdefined assignments and assessments, with distribution of state funding toa school district or charter school at each increment equal to forty-sevenpercent of hours of attendance possible for such course delivered in thenonvirtual program in a student's school district of residence or charterschool.
4. When courses are purchased from an outside vendor, the district orcharter school shall ensure that they are aligned with the show-mecurriculum standards and comply with state requirements for teachercertification. The state board of education reserves the right to requestinformation and materials sufficient to evaluate the on-line course.On-line classes should be considered like any other class offered by theschool district or charter school.
5. Any school district or charter school that offers instruction in avirtual setting, develops a virtual course or courses, or develops avirtual program of instruction shall ensure that the following standardsare satisfied:
(1) The virtual course or virtual program utilizes appropriatecontent-specific tools and software;
(2) Orientation training is available for teachers, instructors, andstudents as needed;
(3) Privacy policies are stated and made available to teachers,instructors, and students;
(4) Academic integrity and Internet etiquette expectations regardinglesson activities, discussions, electronic communications, and plagiarismare stated to teachers, instructors, and students prior to the beginning ofthe virtual course or virtual program;
(5) Computer system requirements, including hardware, web browser,and software, are specified to participants;
(6) The virtual course or virtual program architecture, software, andhardware permit the on-line teacher or instructor to add content,activities, and assessments to extend learning opportunities;
(7) The virtual course or virtual program makes resources availableby alternative means, including but not limited to, video and podcasts;
(8) Resources and notes are available for teachers and instructors inaddition to assessment and assignment answers and explanations;
(9) Technical support and course management are available to thevirtual course or virtual program teacher and school coordinator;
(10) The virtual course or virtual program includes assignments,projects, and assessments that are aligned with students' different visual,auditory, and hands-on learning styles;
(11) The virtual course or virtual program demonstrates the abilityto effectively use and incorporate subject-specific and developmentallyappropriate software in an on-line learning module; and
(12) The virtual course or virtual program arranges media and contentto help transfer knowledge most effectively in the on-line environment.
6. Any special school district shall count any student's completionof a virtual course or program in the same manner as the district countscompletion of any other course or program for credit.
7. A school district or charter school may contract with multipleproviders of virtual courses or virtual programs, provided they meet thecriteria for virtual courses or virtual programs under this section.
(L. 2009 S.B. 291)