CO SB052

Shifts certification responsibility from multi-district online schools to their authorizers effective January 1, 2017; authorizers must be certified by the Division of Online Learning before operating multi-district online schools.

Authorizers operating schools as of January 1, 2017, have until January 1, 2022, to obtain certification; certification is valid for five school years and renewable.

Establishes minimum requirements authorizers must meet including commitment and capacity, rigorous performance standards, decision-making criteria, and continuing oversight and accountability practices.

Requires multi-district online schools to enter into memoranda of understanding with school districts to operate drop-in centers (in addition to existing learning center requirements) and permits the Division to study student mobility into and out of online schools.

Expands pilot programs to address needs of specific student groups including children with disabilities, gifted and talented students, English language learners, and at-risk students; directs General Assembly to appropriate funds for pilot program implementation.