Policy 614-R Credit for Online Learning Regulations
I. Procedures
The following regulations/procedures will be implemented in order to grant high school credit for online or distance learning.
A. Broad-based Implementation
While Wayzata Public Schools believes that interaction between students and teachers is invaluable, it also believes that it is in the best interest of students in the district to be open to new, innovative instructional delivery systems.
1. Online learning should be held to the same standards as traditional learning.
2. Supervision of students’ online coursework is the responsibility of the online provider.
3. The school district reserves the right to reduce a student’s regular classroom schedule or in proportion to the student’s online coursework.
4. Online learning must meet the standards established by the district’s nondiscrimination policy.
B. Online Course Approval
Online courses must meet the following criteria and receive the identified approvals to be endorsed for fulfillment of course requirements.
1. Be included on the Minnesota Department of Education’s list of approved online providers and online learning courses.
2. Pre-approved by principal or designee, in accordance with state guidelines.
3. In the case of a student with a disability, enrollment in online learning courses will be reviewed by the student’s IEP team.
C. Obtaining Online Course Approval for High School Credit
The following criteria must be met and procedures followed for a student to receive online course credit:
1. No high school credit will be granted for online learning initiated before the student begins ninth grade.
2. Prior to enrolling in an online course, the student must complete the appropriate form and submit it to the principal or designee to notify the school district of enrollment in the online course.
3. The student will be provided equivalent access to computer hardware and education software as all other enrolled students at the student’s grade level and school location. If additional computer access is necessary to complete the requirements of the online learning course, the student and/or the online learning provider is responsible to provide accessibility to hardware, software or connectivity to take the course.
4. A student may enroll in a supplemental online learning course up to the midpoint of the school district’s term. The school district may waive this requirement for special circumstances.
D. Online Courses for Students Who Are Not In High School
1. Students may not earn high school credit for courses if they are not currently in high school.
2. If students are elementary or middle school students, they may not take online courses to accelerate their program at district expense.
3. Full-time students are counted as a 1.0 ADM. High school students can reduce their course load to compensate for taking an online course. This is not true in middle school or elementary. Therefore, Wayzata schools cannot be expected to provide supervision for individual courses which are in excess of the daily program.
Adoption and Amendment History
- Adopted: April 8, 2002
- Amended: January 13, 2003
- Amended: August 16, 2004
- Amended: March 12, 2007
- Amended: February 11, 2019
- Last Reviewed: February 11, 2019