The basic instruction program will include the courses required for each grade level by the Iowa Department of Education.  

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in kindergarten is designed to develop growth in language arts and communication skills, the capacity to complete individual tasks, and the ability to protect and increase physical well-being with attention given to experiences relating to the development of life skills.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades one through six will include English-language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health,, physical education, traffic safety, music, visual art and computer science.  Career planning and pathways will also be taught in grades five and six. Computer science will be offered during at least one grade level.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades seven and eight will include English-language arts, social studies including instruction related to civics, mathematics, science, health, family and consumer science, career instruction, exploration and development, technology education, physical education, music, visual art and computer science.  Computer science will be offered during at least one grade level.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades nine through twelve will include English language arts (6 units), social studies (5 units), mathematics (6 units), science (5 units), health (1 unit), physical education (1 unit), fine arts (2 units), foreign language (2 units), financial literacy (1/2 unit) and vocational education (12 units) and computer science (1/2 unit).

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

Each instruction program is 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 instruction program's plan should describe the program, its goals, the effective materials, the activities and the method for student evaluation.

It is 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.

Legal Reference: 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

602  Curriculum Development

603  Instructional Curriculum

Approved 10/20/11     Reviewed  9/16/26              Revised   9/16/26         

SUMMER SCHOOL INSTRUCTION

The district recognizes the importance of ongoing learning opportunities for students. As such, the district shall offer summer school instruction in accordance with the following:

• 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.  Upon receiving a request for summer school, the board will 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.

• If a child who is eligible for special education has been determined to need extended school year services as necessary to receive a free appropriate public education, as determined according to state and federal law, such services shall be provided as described in the child’s individualized education program.
• In additional instances as provided by law.

The superintendent may develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3; 282.6.

                                    Iowa Admin. Code. 41.106.

Cross Reference:        410.02    Summer School Licensed Employees

                                    505.02    Student Promotion – Retention – Acceleration

                                    603       Instructional Curriculum

                                    711.04    Summer School Transportation

Approved 10/20/11     Reviewed  9/16/26              Revised   1/17/18                

The board recognizes some students have different educational needs than other students.  The board will 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 the maximum age allowable in accordance with the law.  Students requiring special education will attend general education classes, participate in nonacademic and 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 is written in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

The district will ensure that each student’s IEP is accessible to all employees responsible for its implementation and that such employees are informed of their specific responsibilities and the accommodations, modifications, and supports required under the IEP. Each responsible employee must review updates to the IEP and provide written confirmation of the review.

Special education students are required to meet the requirements listed for special education students in the district's Graduation Requirements policy 505.05 and in their IEP's for graduation.  It is 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 are provided comprehensive special education services within the public education system.  The school district will 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 is done to ensure a smooth transition of children entitled to early childhood special education services.

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

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

Southeast Warren Comm. School District v. Dept. of Public Instruction, 285 N.W.2d 173 

(Iowa 1979).

20 U.S.C. §§1400 et seq. (1988).

34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq. (1993).

Iowa Code §§ 256.11(7); 256B; 273.1, .2, .5, .9(2)-(3); 280.8 (2007).

281 I.A.C. 41.109

Cross Reference: 503    Student Discipline

                              505.05 Graduation Requirements

506    Student Records

507.02  Administration of Medication to Students

507.08  Student Special Health Services

601.01  School Calendar

603    Instructional Curriculum

Approved 10/20/11     Reviewed  9/16/26             Revised _9/16/26_____ 

Students in grade levels one through twelve will receive, as part of their health education, instruction about personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival skills; consumer health; family life; age-appropriate, research-based 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; and communicable diseases.  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 are included in health education and the instruction are adapted at each grade level in compliance with relevant laws 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 will include a proposed alternate activity or study acceptable to the superintendent.  The superintendent will have the final authority to determine the alternate activity or study.

Legal Reference: 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 10/20/11     Reviewed  9/16/26              Revised   9/16/26         

Students in grades one through twelve are required to participate in physical education courses. Students who are physically able will be assessed using the presidential physical fitness test. Otherwise, students may be excused from physical education courses 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 or trimester] because the student is actively involved in an athletic program.

• the student is participating in the Legislative Page Program at the state capitol for a regular session of the general assembly; or

• the student is enrolled in a junior reserve officer training corps.

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 10/20/11     Reviewed   9/16/26             Revised   9/16/26         

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 10/20/11     Reviewed  9/16/26              Revised                 

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  

                                604.05  Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program

                                606.02  School Ceremonies and Observances

Approved 10/20/11     Reviewed 9/16/26              Revised                 

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

                                903.05  Distribution of Materials

Approved 10/20/11     Reviewed  9/16/26              Revised                   

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 10/20/11     Reviewed 9/16/26              Revised