BASIC INSTRUCTION PROGRAM

The basic instruction program shall include the courses required for each grade level by the State Department of Education.  The instructional approach will be nonsexist and multicultural.  The basic program described below is not to be confused with graduation requirements, but it does describe what must be offered at the various grade structure levels.

The basic instruction program for students enrolled in kindergarten shall be designed to develop healthy emotional and social habits, language arts and communication skills, the capacity to complete individual tasks, character education and the ability to protect and increase physical well-being with attention given to experiences relating to the development of life skills and human growth and development.

For students enrolled in grades one through six, the basic instruction program shall include English-language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, physical education, traffic safety, music, character education and visual art.

For students enrolled in grades seven and eight, the basic instruction program shall include English-language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, family and consumer, career, technology education, physical education, music, character education and visual art.

For students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, the basic instruction program shall include character education, English-language arts (6 units), social studies (5 units), mathematics (6 units), science (5 units), health (1 unit), physical education (1 unit), fine arts (3 units), foreign language (4 units), and vocational education (12 units).

The Board, in its discretion, may offer additional courses in the instruction program for any grade level.

Each instruction program shall be carefully planned for optimal benefit taking into consideration the financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the Board or superintendent.  Each instructional program's plan should describe the program, its goals, the effective materials, the activities and the method for student evaluation.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations stating the required courses and optional courses for kindergarten, grades one through six, grades seven and eight, and grades nine through twelve.

 

Cross Reference:        505.5    Graduation Requirements

 

Approved:   5/12/97                   Revised:     10/98                   Reviewed:    2/00

                                                                                                                  10/06

                                                                                                                    11/17                 

Legal Reference:         20 U.S.C. § 1232h (1988).

                                  34 C.F.R. Pt. 98 (1993).

                                  Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 256.11; 279.8; 280.3-.14 (1995).

                                  281 I.A.C. 12.5.

Cross Reference:        102       Equal Educational Opportunity

                                  103       Educational and Operational Planning

                                  505       Student Scholastic Achievement

                                  505.5    Graduation Requirements

                                  602       Curriculum Development

                                  603       Instructional Curriculum

 

SUMMER SCHOOL INSTRUCTION

Generally, only drivers education will be offered during summer school.  However, the Board, in its discretion, may offer summer school for one or more courses and student activities for students who need additional help and instruction or for enrichment in those areas.  This decision shall be within the discretion of the board.

Upon receiving a request for summer school, the Board shall weigh the benefit to the students and the school district as well as the school district's budget and availability of licensed employees to conduct summer school.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 279.8, .11; 280.3, .14; 282.1A, .6 (1995).

 

Cross Reference:        410.2  Summer School Licensed Employees

                                  603     Instructional Curriculum

                                  711.4  Summer School Program Transportation Service

 

 

Approved:   5/12/97                       Reviewed:   2/00

                                                                        10/06

                                                                           11/17

 

 

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The Board recognizes some students have different educational needs than other students.  The Board shall provide a free appropriate public education program and related services to students identified in need of special education.  The special education services will be provided from birth until the appropriate education is completed, age twenty-one or to maximum age allowable in accordance with the law.  Students requiring special education shall attend general education classes, participate in extracurricular services and activities and receive services in a general education setting to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of each individual student.  The appropriate education for each student shall be written in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Special education students shall be required to meet the requirements stated in board policy or in their IEPs for graduation.  It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and the area education agency director of special education to provide or make provisions for appropriate special education and related services.

Children from birth through age 2 and children age 3 through age 5 shall be provided comprehensive special education services within the public education system.  The school district shall work in conjunction with the area education agency to provide services, at the earliest appropriate time, to children with disabilities from birth through age 2.  This shall be done to ensure a smooth transition of children entitled to early childhood special education services.

Legal Reference:         Board of Education v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982)

                                  Springdale School District #50 v. Grace, 693 F.2d 41 (8^th Cir. 1982)

                                  Southeast Warren Comm. School Districe v. Dept. of Public Instruction,

                                         285 N.W.2d173 (Iowa 1979)

                                  20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq. (1994)

                                  34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq. (1996)

                                  Iowa Code §§ 256.11(7); 256B; 273.1, .2, .5, .9(2)-(3); 280.8 (1999)

                                  281 I.A.C. 41

 

Cross Reference:        503       Student Discipline

                                  505.5    Graduation Requirements

                                  506       Student Records

                                  507.2    Administration of Medication to Students

                                  507.8    Student Special Health Services

                                  601.1    School Calendar

                                  603       Instructional Curriculum

 

Approved:    5/12/97                  Reviewed:      2/00                  Revised:    8/00

                                                                        10/06

                                                                         11/17

 

MULTICULTURAL AND NONSEXIST EDUCATION

Students shall have an equal opportunity for a quality education without discrimination, regardless of their race, religion, color, sex, marital status, national origin or disability.

The education program shall be free of discrimination and provide equal opportunity for the students.  The education program shall foster knowledge of and respect and appreciation for the historical and contemporary contributions of diverse cultural groups, as well as men and women, to society.  Special emphasis shall be placed on Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and persons with disabilities.  It shall also reflect the wide variety of roles open to both men and women and provide equal opportunity to both sexes.

The Board shall adopt a written plan for the implementation of multicultural and nonsexist education and shall evaluate this plan at least every five years.  During the evaluation process, the Board shall involve parents, students, employees and community members.

 

 

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 256.11 (1995).

                                  281 I.A.C. 12.5(8).

 

Cross Reference:        102  Equal Educational Opportunity

                                  600  Goals and Objectives of the Education Program

 

Approved:   5/12/97                   Reviewed:      2/00

                                                                         10/06

                                                                         11/17

HEALTH EDUCATION

Students in grade levels one through twelve shall receive, as part of their health education, instruction about personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival skills; consumer health; family life; human growth and development; substance abuse and non-use, including the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and poisons on the human body; human sexuality; self-esteem; stress management; interpersonal relationships; emotional and social health; health resources; prevention and control of disease; communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and current crucial health issues.  The purpose of the health education program is to help each student protect, improve and maintain physical, emotional and social well-being.

The areas stated above shall be included in health education and the instruction shall be adapted at each grade level to aid understanding by the students.

Parents who object to health education instruction in human growth and development may file a written request that the student be excused from the instruction.  The written request shall include a proposed alternate activity or study acceptable to the superintendent.  The superintendent shall have the final authority to determine the alternate activity or study.

 

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 256.11; 279.8; 280.3-.14 (1995).

                                  281 I.A.C. 12.5.

 

Cross Reference:        502  Student Rights and Responsibilities

                                  603  Instructional Curriculum

                                  607  Instructional Services

 

Approved:    5/12/97                  Reviewed:      2/00

                                                                        10/06

                                                                        11/17

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Students in grades one through twelve shall be required to participate in physical education courses unless they are excused by the principal of their attendance center.

Students may be excused from physical education courses if the student presents a written statement from a doctor stating that such activities could be injurious to the health of the student or the student has been exempted because of a conflict with the student's religious beliefs.

Students in grades 9-12 may also be excused from physical education courses if:

          ·           the student is enrolled in academic courses not otherwise available, or

          ·           the student has obtained a physical education waiver for a semester because the student is actively involved in an athletic program.

Twelfth grade students may also be excused from physical education courses if the student is enrolled in a cooperative, work study or other educational program authorized by the school which requires the student's absence from school.

Students who will not participate in physical education must have a written request or statement from their parents.

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code § 256.11 (1995).

                                              281 I.A.C. 12.5.

 

Cross Reference:        504  Student Activities

                                  603  Instructional Curriculum

 

Approved:    5/12/97                  Reviewed:      2/00

                                                                         10/06

                                                                         11/17

CAREER EDUCATION

Preparing students for careers is one goal of the education program.  Career education will be written into the education program for grades kindergarten through twelve.  This education shall include, but not be limited to, awareness of self in relation to others and the needs of society, exploration of employment opportunities, experiences in personal decision-making, and experiences of integrating work values and work skills into their lives.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to assist licensed employees in finding ways to provide career education in the education program.  Special attention should be given to courses of vocational education nature.  The Board, in its review of the curriculum, shall review the means in which career education is combined with other instructional programs.

 

 

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 280.9 (1995).

                                  281 I.A.C. 12.5(7).

 

Cross Reference:        603  Instructional Curriculum

 

Approved:   5/12/97                   Reviewed:      2/00

                                                                        10/06

                                                                         11/17

 

TEACHING ABOUT RELIGION

The school district is required to keep the practice of religion out of the school curriculum.  The Board recognizes the key role religion has played in the history of the world and authorizes the study of religious history and traditions as part of the curriculum.  Preferential or derogatory treatment of a single religion shall not take place.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure the study of religion in the schools in keeping with the following guidelines:

          ·           the proposed activity must have a secular purpose;

          ·           the primary objective of the activity must not be one that advances or inhibits religion; and

          ·           the activity must not foster excessive governmental entanglement with religion.

 

 

Legal Reference:         U.S. Const. amend. I.

                                  Lee v. Weisman. 112 S.Ct. 2649 (1992).

                                  Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971).

                                  Graham v. Central Community School District of Decatur County, 608 F.Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985).

                                  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.6 (1995).

 

Cross Reference:        603     Instructional Curriculum

                                  604.5  Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program

                                  606.2  School Ceremonies and Observances

 

Approved:   5/12/97                   Reviewed:      2/00

                                                                        10/06

                                                                         11/17

TEACHING ABOUT RELIGION REGULATION - RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

The historical and contemporary significance of religious holidays may be included in the education program provided that the instruction is presented in an unbiased and objective manner.  The selection of holidays to be studied shall take into account major celebrations of several world religions, not just those of a single religion.  Holiday-related activities shall be educationally sound and sensitive to religious differences and shall be selected carefully to avoid the excessive or unproductive use of school time.  Teachers shall be especially careful in planning activities that are to take place immediately preceding or on a religious holiday.

Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes (including traditional carols, seasonal songs and classical music) shall be permitted if presented in an objective manner without sectarian indoctrination.  The emphasis on religious themes shall be only as extensive as necessary for a balanced and comprehensive study or presentation.  Religious content included in student performances shall be selected on the basis of its independent educational merit and shall seek to give exposure to a variety of religious customs, beliefs and forms of expression.  Holiday programs, parties or performances shall not become religious celebrations or be used as a forum for religious worship, such as the devotional reading of sacred writings or the recitations of prayers.

The use of religious symbols (e.g. a cross, menorah, crescent, Star of David, lotus blossom, nativity scene or other symbol that is part of a religious ceremony) shall be permitted as a teaching aid, but only when such symbols are used temporarily and objectively to give information about a heritage associated with a particular religion.  The Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and Halloween decorations are secular, seasonal symbols and as such can be displayed in a seasonal context.

Expressions of belief or nonbelief initiated by individual students shall be permitted in composition, art forms, music, speech and debate.  However, teachers may not require projects or activities which are indoctrinational or force students to contradict their personal religious beliefs or nonbeliefs.

 

 

Approved:   5/12/97                 Reviewed:       2/00

                                                                       10/06

                                                                       11/17

 

 

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

The Board believes students should have an opportunity to reach their own decisions and beliefs about conflicting points of view.  Academic freedom is the opportunity of licensed employees and students to study, investigate, present, interpret, and discuss facts and ideas relevant to the subject matter of the classroom and appropriate to and in good taste with the maturity and intellectual and emotional capacities of the students.

It shall be the responsibility of the teacher to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious views, or biased positions in the classroom or through teaching methods.  Teachers are not discouraged from expressing personal opinions as long as students are aware it is a personal opinion and students are allowed to reach their own conclusions independently.

It shall be the responsibility of the principal to ensure academic freedom is allowed but not abused in the classroom.

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .6 (1995).

 

Cross Reference:        502     Student Rights and Responsibilities

                                  603     Instructional Curriculum

                                  903.5  Distribution of Materials

 

Approved:    5/12/97                  Reviewed:      2/00

                                                                        10/06

                                                                        11/17

GLOBAL EDUCATION

Because of our growing interdependence with other nations in the world, global education shall be incorporated into the education program for grades kindergarten through twelve so that students have the opportunity to acquire a perspective on world issues, problems, and prospects for an awareness of the relationship between an individual's self-interest and the concerns of people elsewhere in the world.  Global education, in the education program, is the lifelong growth in understanding, through study and participation, of the world community and the interdependency of its people and systems--social, cultural, racial, economic, linguistic, technological, and ecological.

 

 

 

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A (1995).

                                  281 I.A.C. 12.5(11).

 

Cross Reference:        602  Curriculum Development

                                  603  Instructional Curriculum

Approved:    5/12/97                  Reviewed:      2/00

                                                                       10/06

                                                                        11/17

CITIZENSHIP

Being a citizen of the United States, of Iowa and of the school district community entitles students to special privileges and protections as well as requiring the students to assume civic, economic and social responsibilities and to participate in their country, state and school district community in a manner that entitles them to keep these rights and privileges.

As part of the education program, students shall have an opportunity to learn about their rights, privileges, and responsibilities as citizens of this country, state and school district community.  As part of this learning opportunity students shall be instructed in the elements of good citizenship and the role quality citizens play in their country, state and school district community.

 

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A (1995).

                                  281 I.A.C. 12.3(8).

 

Cross Reference:        101  Educational Philosophy of the School District

                                  502  Student Rights and Responsibilities

                                  503  Student Discipline

 

Approved:    5/12/97                  Reviewed:      2/00

                                                                       10/06

                                                                        11/17