(1) Oregon Digital Learning is created within the Department of Education. The purposes of Oregon Digital Learning are to provide:

(a) Online courses to kindergarten through grade 12 public school students; and

(b) Professional development related to online learning to kindergarten through grade 12 public school teachers.

(2)(a) Oregon Digital Learning shall provide online courses to students that meet academic content standards as defined in ORS § 329.007 and that meet other criteria adopted by the State Board of Education. Any person who teaches an online course to students must be properly licensed as required by ORS § 342.173 for a person employed by a school district or education service district or properly registered as required by ORS § 338.135 for a person employed by a public charter school. All school districts and public charter schools may allow students to access the online courses offered to students by Oregon Digital Learning.

(b) Oregon Digital Learning shall provide professional development to support school districts that provide online learning, including professional development that will help school districts to identify and support students who would benefit from online learning opportunities.

(3) The Superintendent of Public Instruction may contract with:

(a) Education service districts, school districts, public charter schools, community colleges, public universities listed in ORS § 352.002 or any other public entity to provide online courses to students through Oregon Digital Learning.

(b) Any public or private entity to provide professional development through Oregon Digital Learning.

(4) Statutes and rules that apply to other school districts do not apply to Oregon Digital Learning except as provided under this section or by rule of the State Board of Education. Oregon Digital Learning is not considered a school district for purposes of apportionment of the State School Fund and the department may not receive a direct apportionment under ORS § 327.008 from the State School Fund for Oregon Digital Learning.

(5) The board may adopt the rules necessary for the administration of Oregon Digital Learning and shall adopt rules to establish:

(a) The procedure and criteria to be used for the selection of online courses to be offered to students through Oregon Digital Learning;

(b) The qualifications of students who may access online courses through Oregon Digital Learning;

(c) The number of credits for which students may access online courses through Oregon Digital Learning; and

(d) The student-to-teacher ratio for online courses offered through Oregon Digital Learning. [Formerly 329.840; 2019 c.383 § 1]