Several Minnesota Adult Education policies relate to distance and digital education. The most current version of each of these policies is available on the Minnesota Adult Education Policy page, in the Law & Policy section of the mnabe.org website.

Pertinent policies include:

• Distance Learning Policy
• Eligible Content Policy
• Staff Training Policy - As noted on page 2 of this policy, the Distance & Blended Learning Basics for Minnesota Adult Education course must be completed before engaging in any aspect of distance learning programming.
  • Modules 1-5 are required for instructional and administrative staff.
  • Module 5 is required for support staff with no instructional responsibilities.
  • Module 6 is required for teachers wishing to obtain TVM Certification.

The Digital Learning Team has developed these Suggested qualifications for Digital Literacy/Distance Learning teachers.

The Digital Learning Team approves distance learning (DL) platforms that meet state requirements for content and proxy hour reporting. A few select platforms that are broadly used are purchased for statewide access; other platforms are free for all users or must be purchased by programs that choose to use them. Below is information on how to submit a platform for review and potential approval.

• Download this flowchart to understand the approval process.
• PDF version of application to preview
• Form to request approval for platforms from publishers.

• A Teacher-Created Online Course should include at least 12 lessons totaling 20 proxy hours or more. Courses can include materials teachers have created, materials from published resources they have curated, or a mix. Here are the Time-on-Task submission instructions, the instructions for Unit Completion submissions, the form to request approval for Unit Completion Courses, and the form to request approval for Time-on-Task Courses.
• The Teacher Verification Model (TVM) is a pathway for Minnesota ABE teachers and programs to count proxy hours for asynchronous lessons that have been verified by a TVM Certified teacher. To be certified to use the Teacher Verification Model, individuals must have completed all modules (1-6) of the Distance & Blended Learning Basics for Minnesota Adult Education online course, OR the old online Distance Learning Basics course, plus modules 5 (MN ABE Distance Education Policy and Procedures) and 6 (TVM in Practice) in the current online course. This page offers complete information on TVM.