Missouri Digital Learning Landscape
Launch Virtual Learning of Springfield Public Schools, a DLC State Affiliate, was instrumental in conducting the research for this profile.
| State virtual school? | NO |
| Multi-district fully online schools? | YES |
| Online learning requirement for graduation? | NO |
| State approval process for online providers? | YES |
| State approval process for online courses? | YES |
Missouri has a virtual learning program operated by the state agency, Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP), a large statewide consortium, district activity, and five multi-district fully online schools serving 1,651 students in SY 2021-22.
The Launch Virtual Learning consortium, a program of Springfield Public Schools, served over 21,00 students in 73,433 course enrollments during the 2021-22 SY with over 370 district members out of 564 districts in the state. Launch serves both part-time and full-time online students in grades K-12. Its courses are designed and developed in-house. Programming expanded during the 2021-22 SY to include special education and gifted courses. Live class options were also added at all grade levels.
The MOCAP serves K-12 course enrollments through its course catalog. Students enroll in through their resident LEA's with MOCAP providers to setup reporting and invoicing. There are 18 course providers to the catalog as of November 2022.
District activity includes:
Lee’s Summit R-7 Online Academy offers classes free to in-district students and for a small fee to out-of-district students.
Columbia Public Schools Virtual School provides a variety of online and blended courses to its middle and high school students.
Douglas County School District’s Choice Online Learning program provides some online courses and others in a blended format. eDCSD is an online K-12 program available to district students.
The University of Missouri’s College of Education operates Mizzou Academy that offers 200 self-paced courses for a fee, typically paid by students and their families. There are some traditional semester format courses as well.
State Policies
No major legislation impacting online and/or blended learning was passed January through August 2022.
CSR 20-100.230 Virtual Instruction Program (2019) established the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) and set policies and procedures for enrollment and provider approval. HB 1552 (section 161.670) passed in the May 2022 legislative session. This bill adds additional provisions to the original Missouri Course Access Program legislation, including the distinction between per-course and full-time students.
SB291 (2009) eliminated seat-time requirements for virtual education classes offered by Missouri school districts and allowed districts to collect state funds. It stated, “for purposes of calculation and distribution of funding, attendance of a student enrolled in a district virtual class will equal, upon course completion, ninety-four percent of the hours of attendance for such class delivered in the non-virtual program.” Charter schools receive state funding when providing virtual courses to students. School districts and charter schools must ensure that courses from outside vendors are aligned with state curriculum standards and comply with state requirements for teacher certification.