1. Skip to navigation
  2. Skip to content
  3. Skip to sidebar

Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Minnesota Online Learning Courses

What are a student's rights and responsibilities? What are those of the enrolling district, the online learning provider, and the Minnesota Department of Education?

Basic rules and regulations have been established for online studies through the Minnesota Statute 124D.095 Online Learning Option Act.

Collapse all | Expand all

  1. Student's Rights

    Students may:

    • Participate in any approved online learning (OLL) program.
    • Enroll full-time in a comprehensive OLL school through open enrollment, charter school enrollment, or an agreement between school boards.
    • Enroll in supplemental OLL courses during a single school year to a maximum of 50 percent of their full schedule of courses per term at the enrolling district.
    • Enroll in supplemental courses above 50 percent if the enrolling district grants permission or if an agreement is made between schools for instructional services. Students may enroll in more than a full course load (i.e., 1.0 ADM) for a fee.
    • Have the same access to computer hardware and software as other students enrolled in the district.
    • Complete coursework at a grade level that's different from their current grade.

  2. Student's Responsibilities

    To enroll in and receive credit for online learning (OLL), students must:

    • Declare district of enrollment (OLL district/charter, other public district/charter, or nonpublic).
    • Notify the online learning provider of their intent to enroll within 10 days of acceptance.
    • Sign statement of assurance that they have reviewed and understand expectations of OLL enrollment.
    • Enroll in supplemental OLL courses no later than the midpoint of the enrolling district's term.
    • Adjust class schedule at enrolling district (reduce instructional contact) for supplemental OLL enrollment.
    • Complete the course(s).

  3. Online Learning (OLL) Program's Rights

    Online Learning (OLL) programs may:

    • Provide up to 50 percent of instruction through OLL per term for supplemental online learning students.
    • Limit participation by board resolution.
    • For supplemental students, charge the family tuition for OLL courses provided above 12 semester courses, or the equivalent.

  4. Online Learning (OLL) Program's Responsibilities

    Online Learning (OLL) programs must:

    • Within 10 days of acceptance, notify the student and their enrolling district of the course, credits, and start date of instruction. Confirm the course meets the student's graduation requirements at their enrolling district.
    • Assist students whose family qualifies for the education tax credit to acquire computer hardware or software for OLL.
    • Instruct no more than 40 students in an OLL course.
    • Assist student with informing enrolling district of OLL participation and course completion.
    • Request MARSS student numbers from prior enrolling district or resident district.
    • Provide a comprehensive course of instruction for students enrolled in the district/charter school.

  5. Enrolling School's Rights

    For students enrolled in online learning, enrolling schools may:

    • Reduce an OLL participant's instruction in proportion to the OLL courses taken from other than the enrolling district.
    • Challenge the validity of an OLL course.
    • Request OLL course information from the OLL program.

  6. Enrolling School's Responsibilities

    Enrolling schools must:

    • Not prohibit a student from applying to enroll in OLL.
    • Award credit for completed coursework.
    • Allow students to participate in extracurricular activities.
    • Make available information about OLL to all interested people.

  7. Minnesota Department of Education's Rights

    The Minnesota Department of Education may:

    • Collect $250 per OLL application.
    • Collect $50 per course challenge to facilitate the process.

  8. Minnesota Department of Education's Responsibilities

    The Minnesota Department of Education must:

    • Certify OLL providers.
    • Develop, publish, and maintain a list of approved providers.
    • Review challenges to the validity of a course.
    • Calculate and pay aid to approved programs.
    • Provide staff support to the OLL Advisory Council.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education