(a) The board by rule shall establish an objective standard criteria for an electronic course to ensure alignment with the essential knowledge and skills requirements identified or content requirements established under Subchapter A, Chapter 28. The criteria may not permit the administering authority to prohibit a course provider from applying for approval for an electronic course for a course for which essential knowledge and skills have been identified.
(b) The criteria must be consistent with Section 30A.104 and may not include any requirements that are developmentally inappropriate for students.

(c) The commissioner by rule may:
(1) establish additional quality-related criteria for electronic courses; and
(2) provide for a period of public comment regarding the criteria.
(d) The criteria must be in place at least six months before the administering authority uses the criteria in evaluating an electronic course under Section 30A.105.