National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQ)
A shared framework for high-quality digital learning
The National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQ) provide a research-informed, openly available framework to help schools, programs, and educators design, deliver, and improve high-quality digital learning.
DLAC, the Community Advancing Digital Learning, partners with Quality Matters (QM) and the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance (VLLA) to support and advance this work—ensuring the standards remain relevant, practical, and grounded in real-world use.
Built for Action
The NSQ are designed to be flexible and actionable.
Whether you’re building a new program or refining an existing one, the standards can be adapted to fit your context while still maintaining a strong foundation in research and proven practice.
Because they are openly licensed, they are accessible to any organization looking to improve quality without barriers.
They give educators and leaders a common language and clear expectations for what effective online and hybrid learning should look like across:
- Courses
- Teaching practices
- Programs
- Digital leadership
They help ensure that digital learning is not only available, but equitable, engaging, and effective for all students.
What You Can Do With NSQ
Schools, districts, and organizations use the standards to:
- Evaluate and improve online programs, courses, and teaching
- Design engaging and effective digital learning experiences
- Guide professional development for educators
- Inform decisions around tools, infrastructure, and policy
- Strengthen accessibility, equity, and student support
- Protect student data privacy and security
- Align local practices with national best practices
Driven by the Community
The standards don’t sit on a shelf. They evolve with the field.
The strength of the National Standards for Quality Online Learning comes not just from research, but from the community behind them.
DLAC members and partners actively contribute by:
- Developing Standards in Practice resources
- Providing feedback during revision cycles
- Participating in working groups and focus groups
- Sharing how the standards are applied in real settings
This ongoing collaboration ensures the standards remain dynamic, relevant, practical, and grounded in experience.
Continuously Updated for Relevance
As digital learning evolves, so do the standards.
DLAC and its partners are actively working to update all four sets of standards—grounded in:
- Community feedback
- Practitioner experience
- Current research
This ensures the NSQ continue to reflect what works now—not what worked years ago.
A Legacy of Quality
The National Standards for Quality Online Learning have long served as a trusted benchmark across the field.
Originally introduced by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and later advanced by International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), the standards continue to evolve through the leadership of DLAC, QM, and VLLA.
DLAC’s involvement builds on more than a decade of contribution to the development and advancement of quality standards in digital learning.
Bringing the Standards to Life
While he standards define what quality looks like, Standards in Practice (SIP) resources help you put that quality into action.
Developed by DLAC members and partners, SIP resources provide real-world examples, tools, and guidance aligned to specific standard indicators.
These resources help you:
- Translate standards into actionable steps
- See how others are implementing the standards
- Adapt best practices to your local context
- Move from planning to implementation with confidence
SIP resources are continuously growing, shaped by the experiences and insights of the DLAC community.