iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Programs

The standards in this document address what is needed for a quality online program, elements of which include quality course design and quality online teaching. This report provides the encompassing and over-arching set of standards program leaders need to assure a quality online program. It is designed to provide states, districts, online programs, and other organizations with a set of quality guidelines for online program leadership, instruction, content, support services, and evaluation.

This document provides an overview of the most critical of the course design and teaching standards. It describes the necessary support standards needed for programs designed to supplement schools’ course offerings as well as those programs designed for full-time students.