Summer 2025 - Volume 28, Issue 2

For those involved in keeping up with the ever-changing regulatory environment of online learning, it’s important to note what is is happening within the states. While the current administration has signaled an intent to return education policy-making to the states, an unintended consequence may be a patchwork of laws that affect any institution offering online courses to students in multiple states.

But let’s look at what has happened in a couple of “red” states over the past few months. In March, Texas passed legislation strengthening the rights of parents to enroll their children in virtual courses and virtual K-12 schools. Texas Governor Abbott praised Senate Bill 569 for expanding access and providing a new framework for funding. On the other hand, the Ohio Senate just rejected a bill this month that would have regulated OMPs (Online Program Management companies). Diminishing the impact of OPMs has been increasingly on the radar, primarily for their recruiting practices, as student debt continues to climb.

Education policy will be one of many topics we’ll discuss at our upcoming Distance Learning Administration Conference in July. As usual, we’ll be at the beautiful Jekyll Island Club Hotel, known by many as the birthplace of certain federal policies more than 100 years ago. It’s our 25th annual meeting – I hope to see you there.

Peace to all,

Melanie N. Clay, Ph.D.

OJDLA Editor-in-Chief

June 16, 2025