604 Alternative Programs
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
COMPETENT PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
In the event a child of compulsory attendance age, over age six and under age sixteen, does not attend public school or an accredited nonpublic school the child must receive competent private instruction.
A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student must notify the school district prior to the first day of school on forms provided by the school district. The forms are available in the central administration office. One copy of the completed forms will be kept by the school district and another copy will be forwarded to the area education agency.
The superintendent will determine whether the completed form is in compliance with the law. Specifically, the superintendent will determine whether the individual providing the instruction is either the student's parent, guardian, legal custodian or an Iowa licensed practitioner; whether the licensed practitioner's license is appropriate for the age and grade level of the student; that the student is being instructed a minimum of one hundred and forty-eight days per year; that immunization evidence is provided for students placed under competent private instruction for the first time and that the report is timely filed.
The school district shall report noncompliance with the reporting, immunization, attendance, instructor qualifications, and assessment requirements of the compulsory attendance law to the county attorney of the county of residence of the student's parent, guardian or custodian.
Students receiving competent private instruction are eligible to request open enrollment to another school district. Prior to the request for open enrollment, the student shall request dual enrollment in the resident district. The receiving district shall not bill the resident district unless the receiving district complies with the reporting requirements. If the parent, guardian or custodian fails to comply with the compulsory attendance requirements, the receiving district shall notify the resident district. The resident district shall then report the noncompliance to the county attorney of the county of residence of the parent, guardian or custodian.
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 3/00
10/06
01/18
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COMPETENT PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Students receiving competent private instruction from a parent, guardian or legal custodian must be evaluated annually by May 1 unless such person is properly licensed. The parent, guardian or legal custodian may choose either a standardized test approved by the Iowa Department of Education or a portfolio evaluation. If the parent, guardian or legal custodian chooses standardized testing and the student is dual enrolled, the school district shall pay for the cost of the standardized test and the administration of the standardized test. If the student is not dual enrolled, the parent, guardian or legal custodian shall reimburse the school district for the cost of the standardized test and the administration of the standardized test. If a parent, guardian or legal custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction chooses portfolio assessment as the means of annual assessment, the portfolio evaluator must be approved by the superintendent. Portfolio evaluators must verify that they have received portfolio training. Portfolio evaluators must hold a valid Iowa practitioner's license or teacher certificate appropriate to the ages and grade levels of the children whose portfolios are being assessed. No annual evaluation is required for students receiving competent private instruction from an appropriately licensed or certified Iowa practitioner.
Upon the request of a parent, guardian or legal custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction or upon referral of a licensed practitioner who provides instruction or instructional supervision of a student under competent private instruction, the school district shall refer a student who may require special education to the area education agency, Division of Special Education, for evaluation.
Students in competent private instruction must make adequate progress. Adequate progress includes scoring at the thirtieth percentile on a standardized test or a report by the portfolio evaluator indicating adequate progress. Students who fail to make adequate progress under competent private instruction provided by the student's parent, guardian or legal custodian shall attend an accredited public or nonpublic school beginning the next school year. The parent, guardian or legal custodian of a student who fails to make adequate progress may apply to the director of the Department of Education for approval of continued competent private instruction under a remediation plan.
The remediation plan shall be for no more than one year. Before the beginning of the school year, the student may be re-tested and if the student achieves adequate progress the student may remain in competent private instruction.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11; 279.10, .11; 299.1-.6, .11, .15, .24, 299A (1995).
281 I.A.C. 31.
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
504 Student Activities
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
604.7 Dual Enrollment
604.9 Home School Assistance Program
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604.1E1 Competent Private Instruction Report
604.2 Individualized Instruction
INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION
The Board's primary responsibility in the management of the school district is the operation and delivery of the regular education program. Generally, students attending the school district shall receive the regular education program offered by the district. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Board approve students receiving individualized instruction at the expense of the school district.
Recommendations from the superintendent for individualized instruction shall state the need for the instruction, the objectives and goals sought for the instruction, the employee requirements for the instruction, the implementation procedures for the instruction and the evaluation procedures and processes that will be used to assess the value of the instruction.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for individualized instruction.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11; 279.8, .10, .11; 280.3, .14; 299.1-.6, .11, .15, .24; 299A (1995).
Cross Reference: 501.12 Pregnant Students
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 3/00
10/06
01/18
604.3 Program for Talented and Gifted Students
PROGRAM FOR TALENTED AND GIFTED STUDENTS
The Board recognizes some students require programming beyond the regular education program. The Board shall identify students with special abilities and provide education programming.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop a talented and gifted program which provides for identifying students, for program evaluation, and for training of employees.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 257.42-.49 (1995).
281 I.A.C. 12.5(12); 59.
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
604.6 Instruction at a Post-Secondary Education Institution
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 3/00
10/06
01/18
604.4 Program for At-Risk Students
PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS
The Board recognizes some students require additional assistance in order to graduate from the regular education program. The Board shall provide a plan to encourage and provide an opportunity for at-risk students to achieve their potential and obtain their high school diploma.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop a plan for students at-risk which provides for identifying students, for program evaluation, and for the training of employees.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 257.38-.41; 280.19, .19A (1995).
281 I.A.C. 12.5(13); 33; 61; 65.
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
607.1 Student Guidance and Counseling Program
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 3/00
10/06
01/18
604.5 Religious-Based Exclusion from A School Program
RELIGIOUS-BASED EXCLUSION FROM A SCHOOL PROGRAM
Parents who wish to have their child excluded from a school program because of religious beliefs must inform the superintendent. The Board authorizes the administration to allow the exclusion if it is not disruptive to the education program and it does not infringe on a compelling state or educational interest. Further, the exclusion must not interfere with other school district operations.
In notifying the superintendent, the parents shall abide by the following:
· The notice shall be in writing;
· The objection shall be based on religious beliefs;
· The objection shall state which activities or studies violate their religious beliefs;
· The objection shall state why these activities or studies violate their religious beliefs; and
· The objection shall state a proposed alternate activity or study.
The superintendent shall have discretion to make this determination. The factors the superintendent shall consider when a student requests to be excluded from a program or activity because of religious beliefs include, but are not limited to, staff available to supervise a student who wishes to be excluded, space to house the student while the student is excluded, available superintendent-approved alternative course of study or activity while the student is excluded, number of students who wish to be excluded, whether allowing the exclusion places the school in a position of supporting a particular religion, and whether the program or activity is required for promotion to the next grade level or for graduation.
Students who are allowed to be excluded from a program or activity which violates their religious beliefs shall be required to do an alternate supervised activity or study.
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 3/00
10/06
01/18
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 §§ 256.11(6); 279.8 (1995).
Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum
606.2 School Ceremonies and Observances
604.6 Instruction at a Post-Secondary Educational Institution
In accordance with this policy, students in grades nine through twelve may receive academic or career and technical education credits that count toward the graduation requirements set out by the board for courses successfully completed in post-secondary educational institutions. Students and parents or guardians shall be made aware of the post-secondary instructional opportunities as part of the development of each student’s individual career and academic plan as required by law. The Superintendent or designee is responsible for developing the appropriate forms and procedures for implementing this policy and the following post-secondary educational opportunities:
Concurrent Enrollment
The board may, in its discretion, enter into a contractual agreement with a community college to provide courses for eligible students in grades nine through twelve when comparable courses are not offered by the school district. Notice of the availability of the concurrent enrollment program shall be included in the school district’s registration handbook, and the handbook shall identify which courses, if successfully completed, generate post-secondary credit. Students shall not be charged tuition for concurrent enrollment courses and shall not be required to reimburse the school district for tuition if they do not successfully complete a course. Students or their parents or guardians may be required to pay a fee consistent with the school district’s established textbook policy and other materials for the concurrent enrollment course to the extent permitted by law. Students or their parents or guardians may also be required to provide their own transportation to and from concurrent enrollment courses to the extent permitted by law. However, transportation shall be the responsibility of the school district for any contracted course that is used to meet school district accreditation requirements.
Students who successfully complete a concurrent enrollment course, as determined by the postsecondary institution, shall receive postsecondary credit in accordance with the institution’s policies and high school credit that will be reflected on their high school transcript. The Superintendent or designee shall grant to a student who successfully completes a concurrent enrollment course a unit of high school graduation credit for every unit of high school level instruction successfully completed.
Post-Secondary Enrollment Option
Ninth and tenth grade students who have been identified by the school district as gifted and talented, and eligible eleventh and twelfth grade students, may utilize the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (“PSEO”) program. To qualify, a course must be a nonsectarian, credit-bearing course that leads to a degree, and in the areas of: mathematics, science, social sciences, humanities, career and technical education. A course is not eligible for PSEO if a comparable course is offered by the school district. In addition, courses at a community college with which the district has a concurrent enrollment agreement are not eligible for PSEO. Students shall not be charged for tuition, textbooks, materials, or fees related to a PSEO course with the exception of equipment that becomes the property of the student.
The school district shall reimburse the post-secondary institution for tuition and other expenses for each PSEO course up to $250. Students who successfully complete a PSEO course, as determined by the postsecondary institution, shall receive postsecondary credit and high school credit. The Superintendent or designee shall grant to a student who successfully completes a PSEO course a unit of high school graduation credit for every unit of high school level instruction successfully completed.
Transportation to and from the postsecondary institution is the responsibility of the student or parent or legal guardian of the student enrolled in a PSEO course. Eligible students may take up to seven hours of post-secondary credit during the summer months and receive high school credit upon successful completion of a post-secondary course. However, the student or student’s parent or legal guardian are responsible for all costs associated with courses taken during the summer.
Students who fail a PSEO course and fail to receive credit are required to reimburse the school district for all costs directly related to the course up to the $250.00 reimbursement maximum. Prior to registering, students under the age of eighteen are required to have a parent or guardian sign a form indicating that the parent is responsible for the costs of the course should the student fail the course and fail to receive credit. Reimbursement waivers may be granted by the board if sufficient verification is provided to show that the student was unable to complete the course for reasons outside the student’s control, including but not limited to physical incapacity, a death in the student’s immediate family, or a move out of the school district.
If a student is unable to demonstrate proficiency or the school district or accredited nonpublic school determines that the course unit completed by the student does not meet the school district’s standards, the superintendent shall provide in writing to the student’s parent or guardian the reason for the denial of credit.
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Legal Reference: |
Iowa Code §§ 256.7, 11; 258; 261E; 279.61, 280.3, 280.14 |
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I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code |
Description |
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281 I.A.C. 12 |
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281 I.A.C. 22 |
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I.C. Iowa Code |
Description |
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Iowa Code § 256.7 |
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Iowa Code § 258 |
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Iowa Code § 261E |
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Iowa Code § 280.14 |
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Iowa Code § 280.3 |
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Iowa Code § 279.61 |
Cross References
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Code |
Description |
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604.03 |
Adopted: 4/17/2023
604.7 Dual Enrollment
DUAL ENROLLMENT
The parent, guardian, or custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction may also enroll the student in the school district. The student shall be considered under dual enrollment. The parent, guardian, or custodian requesting dual enrollment for the student should notify the board secretary prior to the third Friday of September each year on forms provided by the school district. On the form, they shall indicate the extracurricular and academic activities in which the student is interested in participating. The forms are available at the central administration office.
A dual enrollment student is eligible to participate in the school district's extracurricular and academic activities in the same manner as other students enrolled in the school district. The policies and administrative rules of the school district shall apply to the dual enrollment students in the same manner as the other students enrolled the school district. These policies and administrative rules shall include, but not be limited to, athletic eligibility requirements, the good conduct rule, academic eligibility requirements, and payment of the fees required for participation.
A dual enrollment student whose parent, guardian, or custodian has chosen standardized testing as the form of the student's annual assessment will not be responsible for the cost of the test or the administration of the test.
The school district shall notify the dual enrollment student of the extracurricular and academic activities in which the student wishes to participate.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8, 299A (1995).
281 I.A.C. 31.
Cross Reference: 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
507 Student Health and Well-Being
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
604.9 Home School Assistance Program
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 3/00
10/06
01/18
604.8 Foreign Students
FOREIGN STUDENTS
Foreign students must meet all district entrance requirements including age, place of residence and immunization. Foreign students must be approved by the Board. The Board reserves the right to limit the number of foreign students accepted. Students who are citizens of a foreign country will be considered residents if they meet one of the following requirements:
· The student resides with his/her parents(s) or legal guardian;
· The student is in the United States with appropriate documentation (Form I-20) from the United States Department of Justice-Immigration and Naturalization Services; or
· The student is a participant in a recognized foreign exchange program; and
· The student is physically able to attend school and has provided the school district with such proof, including a current TB test.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
Approved: 5/12/97 Reviewed: 3/00
10/06
01/18
604.9 Home School Assistance Program
HOME SCHOOL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The board, recognizing alternatives to education outside the formal public school system, authorizes the establishment of a home school assistance program when the needs of the home schooler would be better met through said program, and the district is able to elicit the funds necessary to support said program. This program will assist students receiving competent private instruction by providing licensed employees of the school district to assist the parent, guardian or legal custodian in the education of the student.
The parent, guardian or legal custodian registering for the home school assistance program will agree to comply with the requirements established by the faculty of the program.
Students registered for the home school assistance program will be counted in the basic enrollment.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 299A (1995).
281 I.A.C. 31.
Cross Reference: 504 Student Activities
507 Student Health and Well-Being
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
604.7 Dual Enrollment
Approved: 3/00 + Reviewed: 10/06
01/18