(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
Online education represents a twenty-first century approach to teaching and learningthat is appropriate for today's students;
Technological advances, particularly in the development and dissemination of resources through the internet, can provide alternatives for the provision of educational services that can be customized to serve the diverse needs of today's student population;
Technology and online education, including both full-time and supplemental programs, are important tools to enhance educational opportunities and improve educational outcomes;
The growth of online education is challenging existing educational policy, administration, and oversight;
Online programs and online schools must be accountable to students and parents andto the institutions that accredit online programs and online schools;
The state has a role in ensuring quality oversight of online programs and online schools, but the state should not replace a school district or an authorizing entity in directly administering online programs and online schools;
Local control of schools is a fundamental Colorado value;
It is the role of families and students to choose their schools and models of education; and
A student's access to educational opportunities should not be limited by where thestudent lives or by the financial, social, or other resources that are available or unavailable to the student.
(2) The general assembly further finds that:
In response to a report of the state auditor released December 11, 2006, concerning aperformance audit of online education in Colorado, the Donell-Kay foundation created the Trujillo commission consisting of a small group of online education stakeholders and professionals;
The Trujillo commission held public meetings and solicited input from online education professionals and participants throughout the state concerning recommendations for the oversight and operation of online education in Colorado, and, based on the information and ideas collected, produced a final report released February 15, 2007.
(3) The general assembly finds, therefore, that the state should:
Avail itself of enhanced technological services, which are available as a result oftechnological advances, to serve the educational needs of the citizens of the state more appropriately; and
Take immediate action to ensure quality and accountability in the online educationalprograms offered within the state.
Source: L. 2007: Entire article added, p. 1066, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2012: (1)(e) and
(1)(f) amended, (HB 12-1240), ch. 258, p. 1319, § 35, effective June 4.