The Independence Community School District recognizes that families with students of compulsory attendance age may select alternative forms of education outside the traditional school setting, including private instruction. The applicable legal requirements for private instruction, including, but not limited to those relating to reporting and evaluations for progress, will be followed.

Except as otherwise exempted, in the event a child of compulsory attendance age as defined by law does not attend public school or an accredited nonpublic school, the child must receive private instruction. Private instruction means instruction using a plan and a course of study in a setting other than a public or organized accredited nonpublic school. 

Private instruction can take the form of competent private instruction and independent private instruction. The Iowa Department of Education recognizes three options for delivery of this form of instruction: two options for delivery of competent private instruction and one option for independent private instruction.

Competent private instruction means either private instruction provided on a daily basis for at least one hundred forty-eight days during a school year, to be met by attendance for at least thirty-seven days each school quarter, by or under supervision of a licensed practitioner which results in the student making adequate progress; or private instruction provided by a parent, guardian, or legal custodian.  

Independent private instruction means private instruction that meets the following criteria: (i) is not accredited, (ii) enrolls not more than four unrelated students, (iii) does not charge tuition, fees, or other remuneration for instruction, (iv) provides private or religious-based instruction as its primary purpose, (v) provides enrolled students with instruction in mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies, (vi) provides, upon written request from the superintendent of the school district in which the independent private instruction is provided, or from the director of the department of education, a report identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the authority responsible for the independent private instruction, and the names of the students enrolled, (vii) is not a nonpublic school and does not provide competent private instruction as defined herein, and (viii) is exempt from all state statutes and administrative rules applicable to a school, a school board, or a school district, except as otherwise provided by law.

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

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 299, 299A.

                                    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

                                    604.9   Dual Enrollment

 

Approved: 07/28/2015

Reviewed: 02/19/2018

Revised:  09/20/2021, 12/19/2022

 

 

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 will 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 will 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 will 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 (2003).

 

Cross Reference:          501.12 Pregnant Students

                                    604.1   Competent Private Instruction

 

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  04/21/2008, 12/10/2012, 02/19/2018

Revised:  12/19/2022

 

 

The board recognizes some students may wish to take courses outside the country.  Generally, students must obtain board approval prior to participating in the international student exchange program if the student wants to receive credit for the program.  If it is a continuing program which has received a favorable evaluation by the administration and the program will be carried out in the future as it has in the past, prior board approval is not required.

The board's approval is not an assumption of liability, but rather an approval of the credits from the program toward graduation requirements.  The students, employees or others traveling with the students will assume all costs and maintain personal and liability insurance protection.  The school district assumes no cost or liability for the participants.

It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to keep the board informed of ongoing programs and to bring new programs to the board's attention.

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code § 279.8 (2003).

 

Cross Reference:          603      Instructional Curriculum

 

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  04/21/2008, 12/10/2012, 02/19/2018

Revised:  01/17/2023

 

 

 

 

The board recognizes some students require programming beyond the regular education program.  The board will identify students with special abilities and provide education programming.

It will 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 (2003).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.5(12); 59.

 

 

Cross Reference:         505      Student Scholastic Achievement

                                    604.7   Instruction at a Post-Secondary Educational Institution

 

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  04/21/2008, 12/10/2012, 02/19/2018

Revised:  01/17/2023

 

 

 

The board recognizes some students require additional assistance in order to graduate from the regular education program.  The board will provide a plan to encourage and provide an opportunity for at-risk students to achieve their potential and obtain their high school diploma.

It will 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 (2003).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.5(13); 33; 61; 65.

 

 

Cross Reference:        505      Student Scholastic Achievement

                                    607.1   Student Guidance and Counseling Program

 

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  04/21/2008, 12/10/2012, 02/19/2018

Revised:  01/17/2023

 

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 will abide by the following:

•  The notice will be in writing;
•  The objection will be based on religious beliefs;
•  The objection will state which activities or studies violate their religious beliefs;
•  The objection will state why these activities or studies violate their religious beliefs; and
•  The objection will state a proposed alternate activity or study.

The superintendent will have discretion to make this determination.  The factors the superintendent will 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 will be required to do an alternate supervised activity or study.

 

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 (2003).

 

Cross Reference:        603      Instructional Curriculum

                                    606.4   School Ceremonies and Observances

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  04/21/2008, 12/10/2012, 02/19/2018

Revised:  01/17/2023

 

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 will 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 will be included in the school district’s registration handbook, and the handbook will identify which courses, if successfully completed, generate post-secondary credit.  Students will not be charged tuition for concurrent enrollment courses and will 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 will 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, will 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 will 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 will 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 will 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, will receive postsecondary credit and high school credit.  The superintendent or designee will 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.  Students may not enroll on a full-time basis to any post-secondary institution through the PSEO program.

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.   

 

 

Legal References:         Iowa Code §§ 256.7; 11; 258; 261E; 279.61, 280.3, 280.14

                                    281 I.A.C. 12 and 22

 

Cross References:      505      Student Scholastic Achievement

                                    604.4   Program for Talented and Gifted Students

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  04/21/2008, 12/10/2012, 03/19/2018

Revised:  02/18/2019, 01/17/2023, 06/19/2023

Concurrent enrollment courses may be made available pursuant to contractual agreements between the Independence Community School District and postsecondary education institutions. The concurrent enrollment program promotes rigorous academic or career and technical pursuits by providing opportunities for high school students to earn postsecondary credit.  Students in grades 9-12 who meet the eligibility standards set by law may enroll in concurrent enrollment courses.  Tuition for concurrent enrollment courses, as cited in the yearly contractual agreement between ICSD and postsecondary institutions, is paid for by the Independence Community School District. 

Students will not be required to purchase textbooks for concurrent courses that are listed for fall and spring semesters in the Joint Education Service Agreements between ICSD and postsecondary institutions. Textbooks (including digital, digital access, and hard copy) will be provided by the District and will remain the property of the District. Students may be charged for lost or damaged textbooks, consistent with established procedures for all textbooks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code § 301.1      

                                     Iowa Code Chapter 261E

                                     281 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 18

                                     281 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 22

 

 

Approved:  03/19/2018

Reviewed:

Revised: 02/18/2019, 01/17/2023, 08/21/2023

 

The parent, guardian, or custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction may also enroll the student in the school district in accordance with state law and policy.  The student will be considered under dual enrollment.  The parent, guardian, or custodian requesting dual enrollment for the student should notify the superintendent’s secretary no later than September 15 of the school year in which dual enrollment is sought on forms provided by the school district.  On the form, they will 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 will apply to the dual enrollment students in the same manner as the other students enrolled in the school district.  These policies and administrative rules will include, but not be limited to, athletic eligibility requirements, activity standards, academic eligibility requirements, and payment of applicable fees.

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 will notify the dual enrollment student of the extracurricular and academic activities in which the student wishes to participate.

The applicable legal requirements for dual enrollment including, but not limited to those related to reporting and eligibility, will be followed.  It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 279.8, 299A (2003).

                                    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

                                    604.10 Home School Assistance Program

 

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  04/21/2008, 07/28/2015, 03/19/2018, 01/17/2023

Revised:  12/10/2012, 11/15/2021

 

 

Foreign students must meet all district entrance requirements including age, place of residence and immunization.  The superintendent 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 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 (2003).

 

Cross Reference:          501      Student Attendance

                                    507.1   Student Health and Immunization Certificates

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  04/21/2008, 12/10/2012, 03/19/2018, 01/17/2023

Revised:  03/19/2018

 

The board recognizes that online coursework may be a good alternative for students to not only meet graduation requirements but, also have the opportunity to take advanced or other courses not offered by the school district.

High school students may earn a maximum of 3 credits to be applied toward graduation requirements by completing online courses offered through agencies approved by the board and Iowa Department of Education, such as Iowa Learning Online (ILO).  Credit from an online course may be earned only in the following circumstances:

• The course is not offered at the high school;  
• Although the course is offered at the high school, the student will not be able to take it due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict that would keep the student from meeting graduation requirements;
• The course will serve as a supplement to extend homebound instruction;
• The student has been given a long-term suspension from the regular school setting, but educational services are to be continued; or,
• The principal, with agreement from the student's teachers and parents, determines the student requires a differentiated or accelerated learning environment.

Students applying for permission to take an online course will complete prerequisites and provide teacher/counselor recommendations to confirm the student possesses the maturity level needed to function effectively in the online learning environment.  In addition, the express approval of the principal will be obtained before a student enrolls in an online course. The school must receive an official record of the student’s final percentage score and suggested grade before credit toward graduation will be recognized.

Provided online courses are part of the student’s regular school day coursework and within budgetary parameters, the tuition costs for online courses will be borne by the school district during the fall and spring semesters, but may be passed on to the parent/guardian during the summer semester.  Any additional costs, such as textbook rentals or school supplies, will be borne by the parents for students enrolled full-time.

It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations to implement this policy.

 

Legal Reference:           Iowa Code § 256.9(56); 279.8

                                    281 I.A.C. 15

 

Cross Reference:          605.6   Internet Appropriate Use

                                    501.6   Student Transfers In

 

Approved:  03/18/2019

Reviewed:  01/17/2023

Revised:  01/17/2023

 

It is important to embrace technology that can foster a creative, interactive learning environment for students, and facilitate employee professional development and collaboration.  The use of online platforms to host remote interaction between students and employees and to facilitate learning is encouraged in the district. 

While student and employee instruction and communication using virtual and online platforms provides a wide array of learning opportunities, it is imperative that employees and students recognize that the use of such platforms is a privilege.  Training related to the use of online learning platforms will be provided to employees and students. 

The district will carefully safeguard the right of students and employees to learn and teach in a respectful environment regardless of the method. All instruction and communication through online learning platforms should be appropriate to the age and ability of the participants.  Students and employees should be aware that online platforms may be monitored by the district.  Verbal and written communication occurring on these platforms may be recorded and stored by the district in accordance with applicable laws.   

Any verbal or written communication on these platforms deemed to be inappropriate will subject the student and/or employee to the same disciplinary measures that would exist if the interaction took place through traditional in-person learning. Students and employees who have concerns about the proper use of these platforms are encouraged to speak with their teachers or building principal. The superintendent will make administrative regulations necessary to enforce this policy. 

 

Legal Reference:           20 U.S.C. §1232g; 34 C.F.R. Part 99

                                    47 U.S.C. §254

                                    20 U.S.C. §6777

                                    Iowa Code §§ 715C

 

Cross Reference:        104       Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment

                                    401.13   Staff Technology Use/Social Networking

                                    506.1     Education Records Access

                                    605.4     Technology in the Classroom

                                    605.6   Internet Appropriate Use

                                    501.6   Student Transfers In

 

Approved:  07/20/2020

Reviewed:  07/20/2020, 01/17/2023

Revised:  01/17/2023