SECTION 70.1027. Requirements for Educators of Electronic Courses

(a) Each instructor of an electronic course, including a dual credit course, offered through the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) by a course provider must be certified under the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 21, Subchapter B, to teach that course and grade level or meet the credentialing requirements of the institution of higher education with which they are affiliated and that is serving as a course provider. In addition, each instructor:

(1) must:

(A) successfully complete a professional development course or program approved by TxVSN central operations before teaching an electronic course offered through the TxVSN; or

(B) have a graduate degree in online or distance learning and have demonstrated mastery of the International Association for K-12 Learning (iNACOL) National Standards for Quality Online Teaching; or

(C) have two or more years of documented experience teaching online courses for students in Grades 3-12 and have demonstrated mastery of the iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Teaching; and

(2) must successfully complete one continuing professional development course specific to online learning every three years.

(b) Each instructor of an electronic course, including a dual credit course, offered through the TxVSN by a course provider must meet highly qualified teacher requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as applicable.

(c) TxVSN course providers shall affirm the preparedness of instructors of TxVSN electronic courses to teach public school-age students in a highly interactive online classroom and shall:

(1) maintain records documenting:

(A) valid Texas educator certification credentials appropriate for the instructor's TxVSN assignment;

(B) successful initial completion of TxVSN-approved professional development, evidence of prior online teaching, or a graduate degree in online or distance learning; and

(C) instructor's demonstrated mastery of the iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Teaching prior to teaching through the TxVSN;

(2) conduct and maintain records for background check;

(3) maintain records of successful completion of continuing professional development;

(4) maintain records documenting successful completion of TxVSN-approved professional development before the end of the school year for any instructor who is hired after the school year has begun; and

(5) make the records specified in this subsection available to the TEA and TxVSN central operations upon request.

Source Note: The provisions of this §70.1027 adopted to be effective February 27, 2013, 38 TexReg 1163; amended to be effective April 7, 2015, 40 TexReg 1967