(A) Until May 22, 2013, no internet- or computer-based community school shall operate unless the school was open for instruction as of May 1, 2005. No entity described in division (C)(1) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code shall enter into a contract to sponsor an internet- or computer-based community school, including a conversion school, between May 1, 2005, and May 22, 2013, except as follows:

Terms Used In Ohio Code 3314.013

  • Another: when used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons but also every other owner of property. See Ohio Code 1.02
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Internet- or computer-based community school: means a community school established under this chapter in which the enrolled students work primarily from their residences on assignments in nonclassroom-based learning opportunities provided via an internet- or other computer-based instructional method that does not rely on regular classroom instruction or via comprehensive instructional methods that include internet-based, other computer-based, and noncomputer-based learning opportunities unless a student receives career-technical education under section 3314. See Ohio Code 3314.02
  • Sponsor: means the board of education of a school district or the governing board of an educational service center that agrees to the conversion of all or part of a school or building under division (B) of this section, or an entity listed in division (C)(1) of this section, which has been approved by the department of education to sponsor community schools or is exempted by section 3314. See Ohio Code 3314.02
  • state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59

(1) The entity may renew a contract that the entity entered into with an internet- or computer-based community school prior to May 1, 2005, if the school was open for operation as of that date.

(2) The entity may assume sponsorship of an existing internet- or computer-based community school that was formerly sponsored by another entity and may enter into a contract with that community school in accordance with section 3314.03 of the Revised Code.

If a sponsor entered into a contract with an internet- or computer-based community school, including a conversion school, but the school was not open for operation as of May 1, 2005, the contract shall be void and the entity shall not enter into another contract with the school until May 22, 2013.

(B)(1) Beginning on July 1, 2013, up to five new internet- or computer-based community schools may open each year, subject to approval of the superintendent of public instruction under division (B)(2) of this section.

(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall approve applications for new internet- or computer-based community schools from only those applicants demonstrating experience and quality.

The state board of education shall adopt rules prescribing measures to determine experience and quality of applicants in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. The measures shall include, but not be limited to, the following considerations:

(a) The sponsor’s experience with online schools;

(b) The operator’s experience with online schools;

(c) The sponsor’s and operator’s previous record for student performance;

(d) A preference for operators with previous experience in Ohio.

The state board shall adopt the rules so that they are effective May 22, 2013.

(3) The department of education shall notify any new internet- or computer-based community school governed by division (B) of this section of whether the superintendent has approved or disapproved the school’s application to open for the 2013-2014 school year not later than July 1, 2013. Notwithstanding the dates prescribed for adoption and signing on sponsor contracts in division (D) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code, or the date for opening a school for instruction required by division (A)(25) of section 3314.03 of the Revised Code, a new internet- or computer-based community school approved for opening for the 2013-2014 school year under division (B) of this section may open and operate in that school year regardless of whether it has complied with those contract and opening dates. For each school year thereafter, the school shall comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

(4) Notwithstanding divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section, a sponsor rated “exemplary” on its most recent evaluation conducted under section 3314.016 of the Revised Code is permitted to open up to two new internet- or computer-based community schools that will primarily serve students enrolled in a dropout prevention and recovery program each year, not to exceed six new schools in a five-year period.

(C) Nothing in division (A) or (B) of this section prohibits an internet- or computer-based community school from increasing the number of grade levels it offers.

Last updated August 12, 2021 at 3:31 PM

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