MN Digital Learning Law

Minnesota SF 1528 was signed by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton on May 3 and was given Chapter 273. It takes effect immediately and:

• Directs all postsecondary institutions offering teacher preparation programs approved by the state Board of Teaching to include in their preparation programs the knowledge and skills teacher candidates would need to deliver digital and blended learning.

• Requires staff development activities related to improving student achievement to effectively deliver digital and blended learning and curriculum and engage students with technology.

• Defines “digital learning” as learning facilitated by technology that offers students an element of control over the time, place, path, or pace of their learning. 

• Defines “blended learning” as a form of digital learning that occurs when: a student learns part-time in a supervised physical setting and part-time through digital delivery of instruction; or a student learns in a supervised physical setting where technology is used as a primary method to deliver instruction.

• Requires the Education Department to review and approve or disapprove digital learning providers within 90 calendar days after receiving a provider’s application. It would also clarify a process for approving or disapproving and reviewing online learning providers.

• Allows the department to review complaints about a provider and to withhold funds or require compliance plans if the department determines that a provider violated a law or rule.

• Requires the online learning advisory council to oversee the development and maintenance of a catalog of publicly available digital learning content aligned to state academic standards.

• Allows basic skills revenue to be used for digital learning among other uses.

• Requires the online learning advisory council to review state education laws and rules pertaining to classroom learning and determine if any inhibit digital learning.

• Appropriates $104,00 in FY 2013 for additional support and staffing related to digital and online learning.