Section 200-RICR-20-10-5.5 - Quality assuranceA. Learners in Rhode Island are assured access to quality instruction and learning opportunities through these Virtual Learning Education Regulations as well as, the Rhode Island Basic Education Program, the Council Secondary Regulations, Regulations of the Council Governing Career and Technical Education in Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Teaching Standards and the Education Evaluation Program. The Council Regulations for Virtual Learning Education will complement and enhance existing regulations by promoting students access to quality online learning opportunities as part of each student's pathway.B. Nationally recognized, research-based standards and best policy and practices will form the basis of RIDE developed guidance to LEAs and other educational organizations to ensure the quality of online content, instruction and programming. RIDE shall regularly review and revise guidance documents as necessary to reflect promising practices and technology advances and innovations. 5.5.1ContentA. Online content is the high quality academic material delivered through technology. It is what students learn and ranges from new engaging, interactive software to classic literature delivered through video lectures and games. All content whether online or in print must be aligned to common state standards, national and/or technical standards and reflect the guaranteed and viable curriculum available for all students. Online content shall also reflect the scope, rigor, and depth of quality content available through more traditional means. Online content shall be evaluated for effectiveness and LEAs seeking to adopt online content should require data on the effectiveness of that content including information such as student completion and achievement. Locally developed content must be aligned to state adopted standards and should follow nationally recognized standards for quality online content.5.5.2InstructionA. To ensure that learners have access to quality online instruction, teachers or instructors who teach directly in online courses, as well as those who support students in a blended learning environment, shall be appropriately trained and/or certified as described in this section.B. Certification 1. In order to ensure that appropriately qualified or certified instructors are providing online credit-bearing coursework, instructors shall meet one of the following requirements: a. K-12 teachers providing online instruction directly to students in an online environment shall be content certified in the state from which they are providing the online content; orb. K-12 site-based teachers who are responsible for supervising students participating in credit-bearing online coursework that is not provided directly by an online instructor shall have appropriate Rhode Island content certification; orc. Instructors providing instruction for dual enrollment courses, which are identified as credit-bearing courses, shall be appropriately qualified from an accredited post-secondary institution.2. Supplemental online materials adopted as part of LEA or school curricula or course materials do not require special certification or qualifications for the teacher or instructor using such online instructional material. Teachers using such supplemental materials, as one of many sources of materials or activities to support their curricula, shall be appropriately content certified for all Rhode Island site-based teachers.D. Training 1. To ensure that teachers are effective in supporting student success in online learning opportunities, whether through a blended learning model or a completely online model, teachers must be knowledgeable in online instructional strategies and pedagogy. Technology and online resources provide tools to support teachers in developing engaging, relevant and customized learning opportunities. Training and professional development opportunities focused on effective online instructional strategies and pedagogy through a coordinated K-12 and higher education effort are critical to better prepare teachers to support students in online learning environments. Virtual Learning Education guidance documents will provide educators and administrators with national models of teacher training and preparation programs that are effective in preparing teachers for online learning.5.5.3ProgrammingIt is expected that LEAs will embrace new technologies and virtual learning opportunities to develop innovative blended learning models. As LEAs develop online learning programs, they shall utilize nationally recognized best practices such as those included in RIDE Virtual Learning Education guidance. Development of effective programs will include at a minimum descriptions of online program leadership, instruction, content, student support services and evaluation for effectiveness. Program design considerations must be made to ensure equity and access.
200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-10-5.5