(A) The chancellor of higher education shall establish a clearinghouse of digital texts, interactive distance learning courses, and other distance learning courses delivered via a computer-based method offered by school districts, community schools, STEM schools, state institutions of higher education, private colleges and universities, and other nonprofit and for-profit course providers for sharing with other school districts, community schools, STEM schools, state institutions of higher education, private colleges and universities, and individuals for the fee set pursuant to section 3333.84 of the Revised Code. The chancellor shall not be responsible for the content of digital texts or courses offered through the clearinghouse; however, all such digital texts and courses shall be delivered only in accordance with technical specifications approved by the chancellor and on a common statewide platform administered by the chancellor. The chancellor may provide professional development and training on the use of the distance learning clearinghouse.

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The clearinghouse’s distance learning program for students in grades kindergarten to twelve shall be based on the following principles:

(1) All Ohio students shall have access to high quality digital texts and distance learning courses at any point in their educational careers.

(2) All students shall be able to customize their education using digital texts and distance learning courses offered through the clearinghouse and no student shall be denied access to any digital text or course in the clearinghouse in which the student is eligible to enroll.

(3) Students may take distance learning courses for all or any portion of their curriculum requirements and may utilize a combination of digital texts and distance learning courses and courses taught in a traditional classroom setting.

(4) Students may earn an unlimited number of academic credits through distance learning courses.

(5) Students may take distance learning courses at any time of the calendar year.

(6) Student advancement to higher coursework shall be based on a demonstration of subject area competency instead of completion of any particular number of hours of instruction.

(B) To offer digital texts or a course through the clearinghouse, a provider shall apply to the chancellor in a form and manner prescribed by the chancellor. The application for each digital text or course shall describe the digital text or course of study in as much detail as required by the chancellor, whether an instructor is provided, the qualification and credentials of the instructor, the number of hours of instruction, and any other information required by the chancellor. The chancellor may require course providers to include in their applications information recommended by the state board of education under former section 3353.30 of the Revised Code.

(C) The chancellor shall review the technical specifications of each application submitted under division (B) of this section. In reviewing applications, the chancellor may consult with the department of education and workforce; however, the responsibility to either approve or not approve a digital text or course for the clearinghouse belongs to the chancellor. The chancellor may request additional information from a provider that submits an application under division (B) of this section, if the chancellor determines that such information is necessary. The chancellor may negotiate changes in the proposal to offer a digital text or course, if the chancellor determines that changes are necessary in order to approve the digital text or course.

(D) The chancellor shall catalog each digital text or course approved for the clearinghouse, through a print or electronic medium, displaying the following:

(1) Information necessary for a student and the student’s parent, guardian, or custodian and the student’s school district, community school, STEM school, college, or university to decide whether to enroll in or subscribe to the course;

(2) Instructions for enrolling in that digital text or course, including deadlines for enrollment.

(E) Any expenses related to the installation of a course into the common statewide platform shall be borne by the course provider.

(F) The chancellor may contract with an entity to perform any or all of the chancellor’s duties under sections 3333.81 to 3333.88 of the Revised Code.