Code No.  603.1

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 gender fair and multicultural.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in kindergarten is 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, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, physical education, traffic safety, 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 seven and eight will include English-language arts, social studies including instruction related to civics, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, family and consumer, career, 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)  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:             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; .11.

Cross Reference:             102                                      Equal Educational Opportunity

                                      102.R1                                      Equal Educational Opportunity-Grievance Procedure

                                      102.E1                                      Equal Educational Opportunity-Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination

                                      102.E2                                      Equal Educational Opportunity-Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination

                                      102.E3                                      Equal Educational Opportunity-Notice of Section 504 Student & Parental                                                                             Rights

                                    102.E4  Equal Educational Opportunity-Discrimination Complaint Form

                                    102.E5  Equal Educational Opportunity-Witness Disclosure Form

                                      103                                      Long-Range Needs Assessment

                                      103.R1                                      Long-Range Needs Assessment-Regulation

                                      903.2                                      Community Resource Persons & Volunteers

Approved: 12/10/2019                           Reviewed: 02/10/2025                                                          Revised: 08/12/2024

The Edgewood-Colesburg School 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.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to 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:  410.2   Summer School Licensed Employees
                                      505.2   Student Promotion – Retention – Acceleration    
                                      711.4   Summer School Transportation

Approved: 03/31/1986                         
Reviewed: 02/10/2025                       
Revised: 12/10/2019

 

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

Special education students are required to meet the requirements listed for special education students in board policy 505.5 and in their IEPs 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: 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.

34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq.

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

281 I.A.C. 41.109; 41.404

 

Cross Reference:

501.16 Homeless Children and Youth

503.01 Student Conduct

503.01-R(1) Student Conduct - Regulation

505.05 Graduation Requirements

506.01 Education Records Access

506.01-R(1) Education Records Access - Regulation

506.01-E(1) Education Records Access - Request of Nonparent for Examination or Copies of Education Records

506.01-E(2) Education Records Access - Authorization for Release of Education Records

506.01-E(3) Education Records Access - Request for Hearing on Correction of Education Records

506.01-E(4) Education Records Access - Request for Examination of Education Records

506.01-E(5) Education Records Access - Notification of Transfer of Education Records

506.01-E(6) Education Records Access - Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpoena

506.01-E(7) Education Records Access - Juvenile Justice Agency Information Sharing Agreement

506.01-E(8) Education Records Access - Annual Notice

507.02 Administration of Medication to Students

507.02-E(1) Administration of Medication to Students - Authorization - Asthma, Airway Constricting or Respiratory Distress Medication Self-Administration Consent Form

507.02-E(2) Administration of Medication to Students - Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Medication or Special Health Services to Students

507.02-E(3) Administration of Medication to Students - Parental Authorization and Release Form for Independent Self Carry and Administration of Prescribed Medication or Independent Delivery of Health Services by the Student

507.02-E(4) Administration of Medication to Students - Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Voluntary School Stock of Over-the-Counter Medication to Students

507.08 Student Special Health Services

507.08-R(1) Student Special Health Services - Regulation

601.01 School Calendar

711.01 Student School Transportation Eligibility

802.05 Buildings & Sites Adaptation for Persons with Disabilities

 

Adopted: 03/03/1986

Reviewed: 02/10/2025

Revised: 02/19/2001

 

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

The education program is free of discrimination and provides equal opportunity for the students.  The education program will 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 is placed on Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and persons with disabilities.  It will also reflect the wide variety of roles open to both men and women and provide equal opportunity to both sexes.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 256.11 (2007).

281 I.A.C. 12.5(8).
 

Cross Reference:

102 Equal Educational Opportunity

102-R(1) Equal Educational Opportunity - Grievance Procedure

102-E(1) Equal Educational Opportunity - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination

102-E(2) Equal Educational Opportunity - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination

102-E(3) Equal Educational Opportunity - Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights

102-E(4) Equal Educational Opportunity - Discrimination Complaint Form

102-E(5) Equal Educational Opportunity - Witness Disclosure Form

Adopted: 06/08/1967

Reviewed: 02/10/2025

Revised: 11/15/2010

 

Code No. 603.5

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 are included in health education and the instruction are 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.

281 I.A.C. 12.5.

 

Adopted: 11/15/1999

Reviewed: 02/10/2025

Revised: 08/15/2023

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Code No.  603.6

Students in grades one through twelve are 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,

• 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 (1997).

                                                281 I.A.C. 12.5

Adopted:               11/15/1999
Reviewed:             02/10/2025

Revised:                 12/19/2022

 

Preparing students for careers is one goal of the education program.  Career education will be infused 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 is the responsibility of the superintendent to assist certified personnel in finding ways to provide career education in most courses.  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, 280.9 (1989)
                                      670 Iowa Administration Code 3.5 (9)
                                      281 Iowa administration Code 12.5 (7) (new standards)

Adopted:               03/03/1986
Reviewed:             02/10/2025

 

 

Religion and Public Schools

Code No.603.8

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 is 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.

 

Adopted: 03/30/1986

Reviewed: 02/10/2025

Revised: 02/10/2025

 

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 is 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 is 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

Cross Reference:

502.03 Student Expression and Student Publications Code

502.03-R(1) Student Expression and Student Publications Code - Regulation

903.05 Distribution of Materials

903.05-R(1) Distribution of Materials - Regulation
 

Adopted: 11/15/1999

Reviewed: 02/10/2025

 

Global Education

Code No. 603.10
 

Because of our growing interdependence with other nations in the world, global education is 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: §§ 256.11; 281 I.A.C. 12.5(11).

 

Adopted: 07/17/1989

Reviewed: 02/10/2025

Revised:  02/10/2025

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

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

Cross Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District

 

Adopted: 11/15/1999

Reviewed: 02/10/2025

Revised:

Code No.  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: 08/12/2024                          

Reviewed: 02/10/2025                                   

Revised: