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Shared Definitions

Shared Definitions

Clear language matters. As digital learning continues to evolve, policymakers, education leaders, reporters, advocates, and families need a common set of terms to describe how learning is delivered, structured, supported, and governed.

Download the One-Page Definitions Guide

Why These Definitions Matter

The one-page guide is designed as a quick, plain-language resource that can be shared in meetings, legislative conversations, media interviews, and community discussions. This page expands on that guide with additional terms and context.

These definitions are intentionally written to be clear, neutral, and accessible. They are not meant to capture every variation in every state or program. Instead, they provide a shared starting point for conversations about digital learning across the field.

Who Uses These Definitions

These definitions may be especially helpful when drafting legislation, explaining program models, preparing testimony, responding to media questions, developing public-facing materials, or aligning internal language across teams and organizations.

  • Policymakers
  • Legislative staff
  • Reporters
  • Education leaders
  • School and program administrators
  • Researchers
  • Advocacy organizations
  • Community partners

How to Use These Definitions

Use these definitions as a level-setting tool. They can help clarify what different terms mean, reduce confusion between similar models, and create a shared vocabulary for conversations about digital learning.

Because terminology varies by state, region, and program type, these definitions should be used as a guide rather than a replacement for state-specific legal language.

Expanded Definitions

A pedagogical approach that takes place within a traditional school setting and schedule, in which online learning is integrated into classroom instruction and students have some control over time, place, path, or pace.

A course or program that allows a student to pass and receive credit for a course they previously attempted but failed.

Learning experiences delivered through digital environments that extend beyond the traditional classroom, including online and hybrid models, and that are distinct from the use of technology as a classroom supplement.

A temporary shift in the delivery of instruction due to a crisis or disruption, implemented without the planning, design, or infrastructure of a fully developed online or digital learning model. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Remote Learning)

A deliberately designed pedagogical approach that combines online and physically present instruction while reducing reliance on daily, seat-time-based attendance, and not requiring students to be physically present for the full school day or week. (Synonyms/Regional terms: Flex Learning)

A public, charter, or private diploma-granting school in which instruction is delivered through a hybrid learning model, combining online and in-person learning without requiring daily, seat-time-based attendance. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Flex School)

A small, in-person learning environment serving a limited number of students, often fewer than 30 and frequently including multiple grade levels in a single setting, and providing instruction outside of a traditional school structure.

Education in which instruction and content are delivered primarily over the Internet. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: virtual learning, elearning, distance learning)

An online learning program established at the state level  that provides online learning opportunities and services to students and schools statewide, expanding access to courses, instruction, and educational resources. 

A collection of online courses or learning opportunities that students access in addition to their main school enrollment, where students remain enrolled in and accountable to their local or primary school.

A full-time public, charter, or private school in which students enroll full-time and complete the majority of their coursework online, without a requirement for regular physical attendance. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Cyber School, Away School, Online School).

How Learning is Structured (Time, Attendance, and Instruction)

An instructional approach that dynamically adjusts to individual learner needs to provide differentiated learning experiences.

Learning in which students engage with  instructional materials, and assignments, and interact with teachers on a flexible schedule,  rather than in real time.

An educational approach where students advance based on their demonstrated mastery of specific skills and topics.

An approach to instruction that tailors learning to an individual student’s needs, pace, and interests while maintaining clear goals and timeframes.

Learning in which students and teachers interact in real time, either physically present or through live virtual engagement.

A method of tracking student attendance based on demonstrated engagement, participation, or academic progress in a learning environment where teachers and students are not physically co-located.

How Learning is Designed for All Students

The design and delivery of digital content, tools, and environments so that all individuals, including those with disabilities, can access and use them effectively at the same time as others. (See Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act)

A legally required plan, defined under federal law, that outlines the special education services, supports, and goals for a student with a disability. (See Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA))

A research-based framework for designing learning experiences that work for all learners by incorporating flexible goals, methods, materials, and assessments. (See Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST))

How Learning Is Funded and Governed

A state-authorized program that provides families with public funds to pay for approved educational expenses outside of the traditional public school system. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Education Scholarship Account)

A state-funded program that provides public funds to support a student’s enrollment in an eligible private school, typically by directing payment to the school on the student’s behalf. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Private School Voucher)

A program in which students receive scholarships funded by private donations to approved nonprofit organizations, with donors receiving tax credits in return.

A nonprofit organization that receives donations, and administers or distributes scholarship funds to eligible students for approved educational expenses, often as part of a state scholarship or tax credit program.

An educational provider approved by a state to participate in one or more state-authorized programs, including receiving public funds or offering approved courses or services.

State-defined learning expectations that outline what students should know and be able to do in each subject at each grade level.

A mandated limit on the number of students who can enroll in a particular program or school which may be prescribed by legislation, a charter authorizer, or other means.

A measure used to calculate the average number of students in attendance over a specific period, often for funding and accountability purposes in both traditional and digital learning environments.

A measure used to calculate the average number of students enrolled over a specific period, often for funding and accountability purposes in both traditional and digital learning environments.

A designated date or reporting period used to verify student enrollment, attendance, or participation for funding, accountability, or reporting purposes in educational programs.

Who Supports and Facilitates Learning
(Roles, Systems, and Organizations)

A digital platform used to access, deliver, manage, and engage with courses, instructional content, communication, and learning activities.

A digital system used to manage student data such as enrollment, attendance, grades, schedules, and demographic information, distinct from systems primarily designed for instruction and learning activities.

A secure website or app where parents can see their child’s grades, attendance, and progress.

The educator designated as responsible for a student’s course, including ensuring learning requirements are met and assigning the final grade. 

An individual who provides direct support to a student participating in online learning to help them navigate and engage with their coursework.

An adult, usually a school or district employee, who serves as the liaison between the student, online instructor, parents, and school administration to provide a face-to-face support component for online learners. 

How Technology Supports and Safeguards Learning

Digital tools, platforms, or resources used to support teaching and learning.

The practice of restricting access to online content on school-managed devices or networks.

Policies, legal contracts, and security procedures implemented by schools and Ed Tech providers to protect student records from unauthorized use or commercial monetization.

Expanded Definitions

  • Blended Learning: A pedagogical approach that takes place within a traditional school setting and schedule, in which online learning is integrated into classroom instruction and students have some control over time, place, path, or pace.
  • Credit Recovery: A course or program that allows a student to pass and receive credit for a course they previously attempted but failed.
  • Digital Learning: Learning experiences delivered through digital environments that extend beyond the traditional classroom, including online and hybrid models, and that are distinct from the use of technology as a classroom supplement.
  • Emergency Remote Learning: A temporary shift in the delivery of instruction due to a crisis or disruption, implemented without the planning, design, or infrastructure of a fully developed online or digital learning model. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Remote Learning)
  • Hybrid Learning: A deliberately designed pedagogical approach that combines online and physically present instruction while reducing reliance on daily, seat-time-based attendance, and not requiring students to be physically present for the full school day or week. (Synonyms/Regional terms: Flex Learning)
  • Hybrid School: A public, charter, or private diploma-granting school in which instruction is delivered through a hybrid learning model, combining online and in-person learning without requiring daily, seat-time-based attendance. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Flex School)
  • Microschool: A small, in-person learning environment serving a limited number of students, often fewer than 30 and frequently including multiple grade levels in a single setting, and providing instruction outside of a traditional school structure.
  • Online Learning: Education in which instruction and content are delivered primarily over the Internet. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: virtual learning, elearning, distance learning)
  • State Virtual Program: An online learning program established at the state level  that provides online learning opportunities and services to students and schools statewide, expanding access to courses, instruction, and educational resources. 
  • Supplemental Online Program: A collection of online courses or learning opportunities that students access in addition to their main school enrollment, where students remain enrolled in and accountable to their local or primary school.
  • Virtual School: A full-time public, charter, or private school in which students enroll full-time and complete the majority of their coursework online, without a requirement for regular physical attendance. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Cyber School, Away School, Online School).
  • Adaptive Learning: An instructional approach that dynamically adjusts to individual learner needs to provide differentiated learning experiences.
  • Asynchronous Learning: Learning in which students engage with  instructional materials, and assignments, and interact with teachers on a flexible schedule,  rather than in real time.
  • Competency-Based Learning: An educational approach where students advance based on their demonstrated mastery of specific skills and topics.
  • Personalized Learning: An approach to instruction that tailors learning to an individual student’s needs, pace, and interests while maintaining clear goals and timeframes.
  • Synchronous Learning: Learning in which students and teachers interact in real time, either physically present or through live virtual engagement.
  • Virtual Attendance: A method of tracking student attendance based on demonstrated engagement, participation, or academic progress in a learning environment where teachers and students are not physically co-located.
  • Education Savings Account (ESA): A state-authorized program that provides families with public funds to pay for approved educational expenses outside of the traditional public school system. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Education Scholarship Account)
  • Voucher: A state-funded program that provides public funds to support a student’s enrollment in an eligible private school, typically by directing payment to the school on the student’s behalf. (Synonyms/Regional Terms: Private School Voucher)
  • Tax Credit Scholarship: A program in which students receive scholarships funded by private donations to approved nonprofit organizations, with donors receiving tax credits in return.
  • Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO): A nonprofit organization that receives donations, and administers or distributes scholarship funds to eligible students for approved educational expenses, often as part of a state scholarship or tax credit program.
  • State-Approved Provider: An educational provider approved by a state to participate in one or more state-authorized programs, including receiving public funds or offering approved courses or services.
  • State Standards: State-defined learning expectations that outline what students should know and be able to do in each subject at each grade level.
  • Enrollment Cap: A mandated limit on the number of students who can enroll in a particular program or school which may be prescribed by legislation, a charter authorizer, or other means.
  • Average Daily Attendance (ADA): A measure used to calculate the average number of students in attendance over a specific period, often for funding and accountability purposes in both traditional and digital learning environments.
  • Average Daily Membership (ADM): A measure used to calculate the average number of students enrolled over a specific period, often for funding and accountability purposes in both traditional and digital learning environments.
  • Count Day: A designated date or reporting period used to verify student enrollment, attendance, or participation for funding, accountability, or reporting purposes in educational programs.
  • Learning Management System (LMS): A digital platform used to access, deliver, manage, and engage with courses, instructional content, communication, and learning activities.
  • Student Information System (SIS): A digital system used to manage student data such as enrollment, attendance, grades, schedules, and demographic information, distinct from systems primarily designed for instruction and learning activities.
  • Parent Portal: A secure website or app where parents can see their child’s grades, attendance, and progress.
  • Teacher of Record: The educator designated as responsible for a student’s course, including ensuring learning requirements are met and assigning the final grade. 
  • Learning Coach: An individual who provides direct support to a student participating in online learning to help them navigate and engage with their coursework.
  • Site Coordinator: An adult, usually a school or district employee, who serves as the liaison between the student, online instructor, parents, and school administration to provide a face-to-face support component for online learners. 
  • Educational Technology (Ed Tech): Digital tools, platforms, or resources used to support teaching and learning.
  • Content Filtering: The practice of restricting access to online content on school-managed devices or networks.
  • Data Security & Privacy: Policies, legal contracts, and security procedures implemented by schools and Ed Tech providers to protect student records from unauthorized use or commercial monetization.

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