Section 200-RICR-20-10-5.2 - Authority, scope, and purposeA. The Council on Elementary and Secondary Education (Council) pursuant to its delegated statutory authority under the R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 16-60, promulgates these Regulations of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Governing Virtual Learning Education.B. The Council recognizes that a variety of learning options, including online courses and programs, are critical for 21st Century learners. The Council also recognizes that online learning provides opportunities for students to access curriculum and specialized courses in a flexible learning environment that might not otherwise be available.C. The purpose of this Part is to establish comprehensive and coherent policies governing Virtual Learning Education in Rhode Island. These Virtual Learning Education Regulations promote and support customized learning experiences for all learners through quality and engaging online content and programs and by allowing learners some element of control over the time, place, pace, and path of their learning.D. This Part will help ensure that future technologies and innovative online learning activities can be integrated into existing practices in ways that continue to empower both educators and learners. The Virtual Learning Education Regulations are framed around four regulatory principles:1. All learners in Rhode Island will have access to high quality, rigorous, and relevant online learning opportunities;2. Virtual learning education in Rhode Island will support all learners in meeting academic and career goals;3. Rhode Island will support reliable access to the Internet and technology tools necessary for virtual learning; and,4. The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) will coordinate these Virtual Learning Education Regulations with policies developed by higher education institutions and other state agencies.200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-10-5.2