603 - Instructional Curriculum

603 - Instructional Curriculum dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:12

603.01 - Basic Instruction Program

The basic instruction program will include the courses required for each grade level by the State Department of Education. The instructional approach will be nonsexist and multicultural.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in kindergarten will 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.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades one through six will include English-language arts, social studies, including instruction related to civics, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, physical education, traffic safety, music, and visual art.

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

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades nine through twelve will include English‑language arts (8 credits), social studies (to include financial literacy) (6 credits), mathematics (6 credits), science (6 credits), physical education (4 credits), real living (1 credit), and electives (23 credits).

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

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

It will 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.

Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232h.

34 C.F.R. Pt. 98.

Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 256.11; 279.8; 280.3-.14.

281 I.A.C. 12.5.

Cross Reference: 103 Equal Educational Opportunity

105 Long-Range Needs Assessment

505 Student Scholastic Achievement

602 Curriculum Development

603 Instructional Curriculum

Approved: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 12/18/2017, 10/21,2019, 01/17/2023

Revised: 10/21/2019, 01/17/2023, 08/19/2024

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:13

603.02 - Special Education

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 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 will be written in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Special education students will be required to meet the requirements stated in board policy for graduation. It will 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 will be 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 will 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 (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. (1994).
   34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq. (2002).
    Iowa Code §§ 256.11(7); 256B; 273.1, .2, .5, .9(2)-(3); 280.8 (2003).
    281 I.A.C. 41.

Cross Reference: 503 Student Discipline
    505.06 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: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 12/18/2017

Revised: 11/21/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:15

603.03 - Multicultural and Gender Fair/Non-Sexist Education

Students will have an equal opportunity for a quality education without discrimination, regardless of their race, religion, creed, socioeconomic status, color, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

The education program is free of discrimination and provides equal opportunity for the students.

Multicultural (MC) approaches to the educational program are defined as those which foster knowledge of, and respect and appreciation for, the historical and contemporary contributions of diverse cultural groups, including race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, identity, sex, marital status, disability, religion, creed, and socioeconomic background. The contributions and perspectives of Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, European Americans, and persons with disabilities will also be considered.
Gender fair (GF)/Non-Sexist approaches to the educational program are defined as strategies which foster knowledge of, and respect and appreciation for, the historical and contemporary contributions of women and men to society. The program will reflect the wide variety of roles open to both women and men and which provide equal opportunity to both sexes.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 256.11 (2003).
281 I.A.C. 12.5(8).

Cross Reference: 103 Equal Educational Opportunity
600 Goals and Objectives of the Education Program

Approved: 03/28/2007

Reviewed: 12/18/2017

Revised: 06/18/2007, 08/20/2012, 11/19/2012, 03/17/2014, 11/21/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:20

603.04 - Health Education

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; 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 will be included in health education and the instruction will 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 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: Iowa Code §§ 256.11; 279.8; 80; 280.3-.14 (2003).

281 I.A.C. 12.5.

Cross Reference: 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities

603 Instructional Curriculum

607 Instructional Services

Approved: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 12/18/2017, 12/19/2022

Revised: 12/19/2022, 10/16/2023

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:25

603.04E1 - Human Growth and Development Student Excuse Form

Student Name: ___________________________________________ Grade: _____________________

Parent/Guardian: _________________________________________ Phone #: ___________________

Please list the curricular objective(s) from which you wish to have your child excused and the class or grade in which each is taught. An example is provided for you to follow.

Objective Class/Grade

Ex.                   To understand the consequences of                                     Health Education/6
                        responsible and irresponsible sexual
                        behavior.

I have reviewed the Human Growth and Development program goals, objectives, and materials and wish my child to be excused from class when these objectives are taught. I understand my child will incur no penalty but may/shall be required to complete an alternative assignment that relates to the class and is consistent with assignments required of all students in the class.

Signed: ____________________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________
(Parent or Guardian)

Signed: ____________________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________
(School Administrator)

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:26

603.05 - Physical Education

Students in grades one through twelve will 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's parent/guardian has filed a written statement with the school principal that the course conflicts with the student’s religious beliefs.

Students in grades 9-12 may also be excused from physical education courses for the following reasons:

Students in grades nine through twelve may be excused by the principal from the physical education requirement in order to enroll in academic courses not otherwise available for the student to fit in his/her schedule.
A student may be excused by the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled for up to a semester per year if the parent or guardian of the student requests in writing that the student be excused from the physical education requirement. The student seeking to be excused from the physical education requirement must be a participant in an organized and supervised athletic program offered by the school which requires at least as much time of participation as 900 minutes or one-eight unit of physical education.
The student is participating in the Legislative Page Program at the state capitol for a regular session of the general assembly.
The student is enrolled in a junior reserve officer training corp.

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.

281 I.A.C. 12.5.

Cross Reference: 504 Student Activities

603 Instructional Curriculum

Approved: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 02/19/2018, 09/20/2021, 12/19/2022

Revised: 02/19/2018, 09/20/2021, 12/19/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:30

603.06 - 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 will 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 will 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, will review the means in which career education is combined with other instructional programs.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 280.9 (2003).

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

Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum

Approved: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 12/18/2017, 12/19/2022

Revised: 12/19/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:32

603.07 - 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 will not take place.

It will 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 (2003).

Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum

604.6 Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program

606.4 School Ceremonies and Observances

Approved: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 01/15/2018, 12/19/2022

Revised: 12/19/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:33

603.07R1 - 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 will take into account major celebrations of several world religions, not just those of a single religion. Holiday-related activities will be educationally sound and sensitive to religious differences and will be selected carefully to avoid the excessive or unproductive use of school time. Teachers will 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) will be permitted if presented in an objective manner without sectarian indoctrination. The emphasis on religious themes will be only as extensive as necessary for a balanced and comprehensive study or presentation. Religious content included in student performances will be selected on the basis of its independent educational merit and will seek to give exposure to a variety of religious customs, beliefs and forms of expression. Holiday programs, parties or performances will 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) will 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 will 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.

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:35

603.08 - 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 will 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 will 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 (2003).

Cross Reference: 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities

603 Instructional Curriculum

904.5 Distribution of Materials

Approved: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 01/15/2018, 12/19/2022

Revised: 12/19/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:40

603.8R1 - Teaching Controversial Issues

A "controversial issue" is a topic of significant academic inquiry about which substantial groups of citizens of this community, this state or this nation hold sincere, conflicting points of view.

It is the belief of the board that controversial issues should be fairly presented in a spirit of honest academic freedom so that students may recognize the validity of other points of view but can also learn to formulate their own opinions based upon dispassionate, objective, unbiased study and discussion of the facts related to the controversy.

It will be the responsibility of the instructor to present full and fair opportunity and means for students to study, consider and discuss all sides of controversial issues including, but not limited to, political philosophies.

It will be the responsibility of the instructor to protect the right of the student to study pertinent controversial issues within the limits of good taste and to allow the student to express personal opinions without jeopardizing the student's relationship with the teacher.

It will be the responsibility of the teacher to refrain from advocating partisan causes, sectarian religious views, or selfish propaganda of any kind through any classroom or school device; however, an instructor will not be prohibited from expressing a personal opinion as long as students are encouraged to reach their own decisions independently.

The board encourages full discussion of controversial issues in a spirit of academic freedom that shows students that they have the right to disagree with the opinions of others but that they also have the responsibility to base the disagreement on facts and to respect the right of others to hold conflicting opinions.

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:41

603.09 - Global Education

Because of our growing interdependence with other nations in the world, global education will 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.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11.

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

Cross Reference: 602 Curriculum Development

603 Instructional Curriculum

Approved: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 01/15/2018, 12/19/2022

Revised: 12/19/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:42

603.12 - Postsecondary Education Counseling

The district believes in the importance of education to shape the lives of all students. Some students may consider postsecondary education and training beyond their secondary education, and have questions related to the cost of education programs and the future employability of graduates. It is valuable for students who express an interest in postsecondary education to make informed decisions related to their future options.

The district will ensure that students in grades eleven and twelve who express interest in postsecondary education will be provided with basic information to assist in their decision-making. This information includes but may not be limited to:

a link to the annual report published by the State Board of Regents pursuant to Iowa Code 262.9(38); and
a link to the Iowa Student Outcomes internet site maintained by the Department of Education.

If the district employs a college and career transition counselor, this staff member will provide the information to interested students. If the district does not employ this type of counselor, the superintendent will designate a staff member to ensure this information is provided to interested students.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279

Cross Reference: 603.7 Career Education

Approved: 08/19/2024

Reviewed:

Revised:

lschaul@indeek12.org Tue, 08/27/2024 - 09:29

603.10 - 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 will 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 will 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.

281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), 12.5(3)(b)-(5)(b).

Cross Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District

502 Student Rights and Responsibilities

503 Student Discipline

Approved: 11/01/2004

Reviewed: 03/17/2008, 11/19/2012, 01/15/2018, 12/19/2022

Revised: 12/19/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:43

603.11 - Summer School Instruction

The Independence Community School District recognizes the importance of ongoing learning opportunities for students. As such, the district will 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 will 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.

281 I.A.C. 41.106.

Cross Reference: 410.6 Summer School Licensed Employees

505.3 Student Promotion – Retention – Acceleration

603 Instructional Curriculum

711.7 Summer School Transportation

Approved: 10/20/2015

Reviewed: 01/15/2018, 12/19/2022

Revised: 01/15/2018, 12/19/2022

dawn.gibson.cm… Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:45