A report released Thursday recommends that the Colorado Board of Education clarify rules for online schools, including the Hope Co-op Online Learning Academy.

Hope, which is chartered by a school district in southeast Colorado, operates 79 learning centers around the state. Some local school boards think they should control learning centers in their jurisdictions.

Students at the learning centers study from an online curriculum. They are under the supervision of adults but not state-licensed teachers.

The report issued Thursday was prepared by a 17-member advisory panel. It is less specific about how to deal with the learning centers than a bill introduced in the Senate this week. SB 215 by Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, would require the centers to sign operating agreements with the local school boards.

The state board will discuss the report next month, Chairwoman Pamela Jo Suckla said.

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