Technical Assistance

Guidance for potential schools and Authorizers regarding the application process as well as resources for the existing professional online community

Application for the Certification of Multi-district Online Schools

Single-district Online Programs and Schools

Trainings and Events

CDE/Calendar of Events/Conferences

Application for the Certification of Multi-district Online Schools

Legislation and Rule direct the Office of Online & Blended Learning to develop and implement a process for certifying multi-district online schools. Only multi-district online schools and their relationship with the authorizer must be certified by the Office of Online & Blended Learning .

Certification is not required for a single-district online school or program.*
Certification is not required for supplemental online programs.
Online schools that serve a student population drawn from two or more school districts must apply for certification.

2013 Application Instructions and Guide - doc

2013 Application Instructions and Guide - pdf
Review Rubric for Certification of a Multi-district online school - pdf

Standard form for Memorandum of Understanding between Multi-district Schools and School Districts (Used to notify districts of Learning Center intent)

The next opportunity for certification will be January 2, 2013. A digital copy must be received by CDE no later than 4 p.m., January 2, 2013. Any applications not received by January 2, 2013, will be held for review until the April 1, 2013 submission date.

Amendments to Certification may be submitted after January 2, 2013 but no later than 4:00 p.m., April 1, 2013.
Instructions and Requirements for Amendments to Multi-District Certification - pdf
Instructions and Requirements for Amendments to Multi-District Certification - doc

*Single-district Online Programs and Schools

Certification is not required for single-district online programs or schools. However, prior to beginning operations a proposed program must submit an Application of Recognition to the Office of Online & Blended Learning, which will determine whether or not the proposed program meets the CDE definition of an "Online School or Program." A program that meets the definition will be "recognized" as an "Online School or Program" in the state of Colorado.

Additionally, a district that wishes to operate a single-district online school must apply for a school code, operate with its own administrator, a separate budget and a complete instructional program. An online school is responsible for all state and federal reporting requirements and accountability processes. Any online program with one hundred or more students shall be considered an online school.

Applications of Recognition must be received by June 1, 2013.

Application of Recognition for Single-district Online Programs-doc

All applications should be sent to:

Amanda Heiney, Senior Consultant
Office of Online & Blended Learning
Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax
Denver, Colorado 80203
heiney_a@cde.state.co.us

Application Support and Assistance:

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions section
Contact Amanda Heiney at 303.866.6897 or by email at heiney_a@cde.state.co.us

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Trainings and Events

Online Learning Symposium February 8, 2013:

Hosted by Poudre School District in partnership with K12, Inc. Join other innovative educators to learn about creating successful online learning programs. For more information, please click on the following link: Online Learning Symposium-pdf

Office of Online & Blended Learning Seminar/Webinar: SB 10-191, Educator Effectiveness:

The Office of Online & Blended Learning in collaboration with Educator Effectiveness will be hosting an in-person training event and webinar focused on S.B. 10-191 on January 25, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. at the Colorado Talking Book Library, 180 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80226.

Successful implementation of S.B. 10-191 in an online environment will be addressed during the training.

Due to space limitations, on-site attendance will be limited to the first 20 people who register. As such, it is requested that only one representative from each online school register to attend in-person. The event will be offered via webinar for those not able to be present in person.

To register to attend in person: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MFJ8VJN

To attend via webinar: http://connect.enetcolorado.org/educator_effectiveness_seminar/

Office of Online & Blended Learning Best Practices Webinar Series: READ Act/Early Elementary Literacy in an Online Environment:

View the recorded webinar: http://connect.enetcolorado.org/p22fspm4c93/

Colorado ACT-Online Schools:

To view the recorded webinar from November 1, 2012 or for additional information about Colorado ACT for Online schools: