The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) publication "Standards for Quality Online Teaching" (ED494117) outlines 11 standards states can use to guide academic preparation, content knowledge, online skills and delivery, and other elements of quality online teaching. As a companion report, this publication examines the essential components of quality online courses in the context of today's learners and the increased emphasis on accountability. It also addresses the need for state-level policies regarding online course quality. The rapid growth of online learning in the past 10 years has given middle grades and high school students greater access to academic courses than ever before. It also has focused increasing attention on what constitutes a quality online course. The understanding of what is required to be an effective online teacher and how to design an online course has deepened significantly. The technology used to access and provide online courses has improved. Equally important, education leaders and teachers have gained greater understanding of the attributes of today's students, who have access to and can use technology to pursue opportunities and information never before available to them. For many students, online access has changed the way they see the world and the way they work and play. Consideration of these student issues is now critical in designing and delivering quality online instruction. [This publication was produced by SREB's Educational Technology Cooperative.]