When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1)  “Board” means the Rhode Island board of regents for elementary and secondary education.

(2)  “Commissioner” means the Rhode Island commissioner for elementary and secondary education.

(3)  “Course” means a course of study consistent with subdivision 16-1-5(4) and that meets the requirements of the basic education program.

(4)  “School district” means local education agencies in Rhode Island operated by municipalities and those entities established under §§ 16-77.2-1, 16-77.3, and 16-77.4.

(5)  “Teacher of record” means the teacher responsible for content instruction and determining student grades.

(6)  “Virtual course” means a course in which:

(i)  Instruction and content are delivered primarily through technology, including over the Internet, via television, and through multi-media;

(ii)  A student and teacher may be in physically different locations for a portion of the student’s instructional period;

(iii)  Most instructional activities take place in a technology-supported environment;

(iv)  The technology-supported instructional activities are integral to the students’ academic program;

(v)  Extensive communication between a student and a teacher and among students is emphasized; and

(vi)  A student is not necessarily required to be located on the physical premises of a public school.

(7)  “Virtual course provider” means:

(i)  A public school district or school in Rhode Island that provides virtual courses to:

(A)  Students enrolled in that district or school; or

(B)  Students enrolled in another school district or school;

(ii)  An accredited public or private institution of higher education in Rhode Island or another state that provides virtual courses or programs to students attending public schools in Rhode Island;

(iii)  A not-for-profit or for-profit organization whose work includes offering virtual courses or programs to students attending public schools in Rhode Island.