This policy provides guidance to Local Education Agencies
(LEAs) regarding the use of distance learning, blended learning, and online
courses through the Digital Education Network (DEN) and courses approved
through the Mississippi Online Course Application (MOCA) process, and other
distance learning/online course providers not already approved by the
Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). The MDE does not accredit online
programs or schools, but rather approves individual online courses for use in
Mississippi schools.
For the purposes of this policy, distance learning is defined
as a technological delivery model in which regularly scheduled real-time
instructions occurs during school where students and instructors are not in the
same place and in which a Mississippi-certified teacher is responsible for
providing instruction. Blended Learning is defined as a hybrid instructional
delivery model where pupils are provided face -to-face instruction in part at a
supervised school facility away from home and in part in a computer-based,
internet-connected learning environment with some degree of pupil control over
time, location, and pace of instruction and in which a Mississippi-certified
teacher is responsible for providing instruction. An online course is defined
as a course delivered through an interactive computer-based and
internet-connected learning environment by a vendor/provider in which students
are separated from their teachers by time or location or both and in which a
Mississippi-certified teacher is responsible for providing instructions. These
courses must be approved through the MOCA process. Currently approved courses
in which the content is adapted into a learning management system, delivered by
a district employee/classroom teacher, and used with their students virtually
or in a blended model do not require approval through the MOCA process. These
online courses would be subject to local district review and would qualify for
use of the face-to-face course codes found in MSIS and the Approved Courses for
Secondary Schools of Mississippi.
1.
The Digital Education Network (DEN) is a distance learning system that has been
approved by the MDE. This system links certified teachers in one school with
classes of students in other schools or districts as a means of delivering
real-time instruction. These courses are listed in Mississippi Student
Information System.
2. For blended learning courses in which an
LEA provides a face-to-face instruction with a Mississippi certified teacher,
no prior approval from the MDE is required. For online programs or
computer-assisted instruction in which an LEA is using for the sole purpose of
credit recovery, no prior approval from the MDE is required. For online dual
enrollment courses through a Mississippi Community College or Institution of
Higher Learning, no prior approval from the MDE is required.
3. For all online courses other than the
delivery methods listed in Section 1 and 2 above, secondary courses (grades
6-12) must go through the MOCA process for approval. LEAs must submit an
application to the MDE for approval to ensure that the vendor/provider's
content, curriculum, and assessments are aligned to Mississippi's course
standards. Courses that are reviewed and denied MOCA approval may not be
resubmitted to the MDE for review for three years. LEAs are responsible for
determining course funding structure. To count as a credit toward graduation,
course codes must be listed in the Mississippi Student Information System.
Additionally, online courses can only be listed upon MOCA approval. There is no
limit to the number of courses a student may take. Enrollment in such courses
must have prior approval by the principal.
4. Any LEA that provides a distance
learning/online program other than the delivery methods listed in Section 1 and
2 above shall develop and implement a distance learning and online course
policy
5. and handbook guidance
that has been adopted by the local school board and that includes the rules,
regulations, and processes for online courses. The rules, regulations, and
processes shall be available to faculty, students, and parents/guardians.
a. At a minimum, LEAs must ensure the
following through local board policy:
i.
Teachers are licensed by the Mississippi Department of Education to teach the
respective course;
ii. Background
checks are conducted for the teachers;
iii. The content, curriculum, and assessments
for each course are aligned to the competencies, objectives, and standards of
the respective Mississippi course;
iv. Appropriate course codes are
used;
v. A facilitator is assigned
to assist students;
vi. Students
have access to the technology needed for courses;
vii. Students have all instructional
materials needed for courses;
viii.
The district grading policy is followed;
ix. Students enrolled in the courses take the
required state assessments where applicable; and
x. Documentation is maintained on file at the
central office.
b. At a
minimum, the LEA student handbook shall include the following:
i. The process for notifying parents about
the program;
ii. Minimum criteria
to determine eligibility for participation;
iii. The number of distance learning/online
courses that students can take at one time;
iv. If the distance learning/online course
program can be used for credit recovery and/or remediation;
v. The courses by grade level and content
area for the distance learning/online program; and
vi. The process for monitoring student
progress and notifying parents of student progress during the course.
