What is a zero-cost textbook?

A zero-cost textbook refers to any textbooks or course materials available to students at no cost, often through Open Education Resources (OER).

• According to the Idaho State Board of Education, OER are "teaching, learning, and research materials that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license, such as a Creative Commons license, that permits free use and repurposing by others."
• The majority of classes offered through a Z-degree Pathway have a zero cost option.
• OER are available to students on the first day of class.