6 CAR § 93-108 – Digital learning providers

(a) To become an approved digital learning provider, a digital learning provider shall submit proof that the provider:
1. (1) Is nonsectarian and nondiscriminatory in its:
  1. (A) Programs;
  2. (B) Employment practices; and
  3. (C) Operations;
2. (2) Demonstrates or partners with an organization that demonstrates successful experience in furnishing digital learning courses to public school students as demonstrated by student growth in each subject area and grade level for which it proposes to provide digital learning courses;
3. (3) Provides digital learning services that meet or exceed the minimum curriculum standards and requirements established by the State Board of Education and ensures instructional and curricular quality through a curriculum and accountability plan that addresses every subject area and grade level for which it agrees to provide digital learning courses; and
4. (4)
  1. (A) Utilizes qualified teachers to deliver digital learning courses to public school students.
  2. (B) A qualified teacher who delivers digital learning courses under this section is not required to be licensed as a teacher or administrator by the state board, but shall meet the minimum qualifications for teaching in a core content area established by rules of the state board.
(b) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education or state board shall not require as a condition of approval of a digital learning provider that the digital learning provider limit the delivery of digital learning courses to public schools that require physical attendance at the public school to successfully complete the credit for which the digital learning course is provided.
(c) To become an approved digital learning provider in Arkansas, a prospective digital learning provider shall:
1. (1) Complete the application found on the division’s Learning Services webpage; and
2. (2) Provide the completed application by March 1 of the year in which the provider intends to participate to: ATTN: Digital Learning Provider Applications Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Division of Learning Services Four Capitol Mall Little Rock, AR 72201
(d) Public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools that provide digital learning courses to their own students without the assistance of an external digital learning provider are not required to seek approval as a digital learning provider pursuant to this part.
(e) Public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools that provide digital learning courses to students other than their own students without the assistance of an external digital learning provider are required to seek approval as digital learning providers pursuant to this part.
(f)
1. (1) Digital learning services may be procured from both in-state and out-of-state digital learning providers.
2. (2) Out-of-state providers approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education must provide assurance through the application process that courses align to the Arkansas academic standards and course frameworks.
(g) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall annually:
1. (1) Publish a list of approved digital learning providers that offer digital learning services; and
2. (2) Provide a copy of the list of approved digital learning providers to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education no later than June 1 of each year.