Ohio Code 3314.21 – Internet- or computer-based schools
(A) As used in this section:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 3314.21
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Internet: means the international computer network of both federal and nonfederal interoperable packet switched data networks, including the graphical subnetwork known as the world wide web. See Ohio Code 1.59
- 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
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- 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 and workforce 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) “Harmful to juveniles” has the same meaning as in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) “Obscene” has the same meaning as in division (F) of section 2907.01 of the Revised Code as that division has been construed by the supreme court of this state.
(3) “Teacher of record” means a teacher who is responsible for the overall academic development and achievement of a student and not merely the student’s instruction in any single subject.
(B)(1) It is the intent of the general assembly that teachers employed by internet- or computer-based community schools conduct visits with their students throughout the school year.
(2) Each internet- or computer-based community school shall retain an affiliation with at least one full-time teacher of record licensed in accordance with division (A)(10) of section 3314.03 of the Revised Code.
(3) Each student enrolled in an internet- or computer-based community school shall be assigned to at least one teacher of record. No teacher of record shall be primarily responsible for the academic development and achievement of more than one hundred twenty-five students enrolled in the internet- or computer-based community school that has retained that teacher.
(C) For any internet- or computer-based community school, the contract between the sponsor and the governing authority of the school described in section 3314.03 of the Revised Code shall specify each of the following:
(1) A requirement that the school use a filtering device or install filtering software that protects against internet access to materials that are obscene or harmful to juveniles on each computer provided to students for instructional use. The school shall provide such device or software at no cost to any student who works primarily from the student’s residence on a computer obtained from a source other than the school.
(2) A plan for fulfilling the intent of the general assembly specified in division (B)(1) of this section. The plan shall indicate the number of times teachers will visit each student throughout the school year and the manner in which those visits will be conducted. The visits may be conducted electronically.
(3) That the school will set up a central base of operation and the sponsor will maintain a representative within fifty miles of that base of operation to provide monitoring and assistance.
(D)(1) Annually, each internet- or computer-based community school shall prepare and submit to the department of education and workforce, in a time and manner prescribed by the department, a report that contains information about all of the following:
(a) Classroom size;
(b) The ratio of teachers to students per classroom;
(c) The number of student-teacher meetings conducted in person or by video conference;
(d) Any other information determined necessary by the department.
(2) The department annually shall prepare and issue a report that contains the information received under division (D)(1) of this section.
Last updated August 16, 2023 at 12:21 PM