National Standards for Quality (NSQ)

A Deep Commitment to Quality Online Learning

The Digital Learning Collaborative is proud to partner with Quality Matters (QM) and the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance (VLLA) to bring you the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQOL), a set of openly-licensed standards providing critical guidance in improving and evaluating the quality of online courses, programs, and teaching. 

New and existing online programs, teachers, state agencies, and course designers use the NSQ for the guidance they need to:

  • Provide equitable and accessible digital learning opportunities for students

  • Offer engaging learning experiences

  • Support educators in effective online teaching methods

  • Design and deliver high quality online courses

  • Create infrastructure, policies, and procedures for quality digital learning programs

Mission Aligned

The DLC is a proud partner because our organization and our members are committed to providing the K-12 online and hybrid learning community with standards that are supported by research and proven practices, and share a common philosophy that standards in such a dynamic area such as digital learning must be updated regularly to provide a useful benchmark for schools, districts, statewide programs, and commercial suppliers of online and blended learning. 

The National Standards for Quality Online Courses, Programs, and Teaching have been the most used and respected benchmark for states, districts, and schools aspiring to provide quality online courses, programs and teaching, since first being introduced by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). The VLLA and QM organized a committee of experts with various backgrounds in the field of K-12 online learning to take the lead in refreshing the National Standards for Quality Online Courses, Programs, and Teaching previously updated and maintained by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). The Digital Learning Collaborative became a partner on the project in 2021; however various DLC staff have been involved in the standards dating back to 2007.

Driven by the Community

Openly licensed standards levels the playing field — providing all organizations access to research-supported and regularly updated quality assurance benchmarks, clarified with examples and explanations. When used together, the National Standards for Quality Online Courses, Teaching, and Programs provide a quality assurance framework that can be customized to fit local needs and elevate the quality of online learning experiences for students across diverse contexts.

The work is driven by the community, with varying degrees of opportunity to engage and contribute. DLC members regularly create Standards in Practice (SIP) Resources to support the Standard Indicators, the revision process, and other projects like. the NSQ Teaching – Danielson Crosswalk. 

Informing the Field

The National Standards for Quality Online Learning are used to:

  • Evaluate and improve online programs, courses, and teaching practices

  • Make strategic decisions on digital infrastructure, policy, tools, curriculum, and professional development

  • Develop local standards aligned to best practices in online learning

  • Guide educators in effective online instructional design and delivery

  • Ensure online learning is equitable, accessible, and engaging for all learners

  • Provide guidance on protecting student data privacy and security in digital environments

  • Optimize the student learning experience and outcomes in digital learning environments

Updated for Relevance

Keeping the NSQ relevant is a main priority for the DLC and its partners. As we continue to grow and learn what works based on research and best practice, so do the standards.  

The leadership team behind the NSQOL is currently embarking on the vital journey to update the three sets of standards that underpin quality in online learning. To inform the work, a community survey was conducted and compiled, and focus groups are being facilitated to gain insight on changes needed based on user interaction with the standards. A further critical step has been taken to ground this process in current research. 

To this end, an extensive annotated bibliography was commissioned by the DLC, QM, and the VLLA. This pivotal document, which is set to be published on the NSQOL website in 2024, delves into the myriad of research conducted in the field over the past five years. It offers a treasure trove of insights, synthesizing key findings and pinpointing areas for future research. 

Support the Standards

Show your support. Download the standards and check out the many complimentary resources available on the NSQ website.