The Fairfield 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, shall 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 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, which results in the student making adequate progress.  Competent private instruction is provided by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner or by other individuals identified in law. 

Independent private instruction means 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 is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

NOTE: This policy reflects Iowa law on competent private instruction and independent private instruction. For additional information, including applicable forms, please visit the “Options for Educational Choice” section of the Iowa Department of Education’s website, located at https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk-12/options-educational-choice.

 

 

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                                                                                                  
                                      604.7  Dual Enrollment
                                      604.9  Home School Assistance Program

Approved:  Sep. 21, 1992, Nov 17, 2014, Sep 21, 2015, May 18, 2020     
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Sep 22, 2014, Jul 27, 2015, April 13, 2020      
Revised:  Sep 22, 2014, Jul 27, 2015

 

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 is 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 (2013).

Cross Reference:  501.12 Pregnant Students
                                      604.1   Competent Private Instruction

Approved:  Nov. 10, 1997, Nov 17, 2014, August 17, 2020    
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Sep 22, 2014, July 20, 2020     
Revised:  Sep 22, 2014                          

 

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 is 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 (2013).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.5(12); 59.

Cross Reference:  505    Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      604.6 Instruction at a Post-Secondary Education Institution

Approved:  June 12, 1989, Nov 17, 2014, August 17, 2020     
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Sep 22, 2014, July 20, 2020      
Revised:  Sep 22, 2014                           

 

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 is 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 (2013).?
                                      281  I.A.C. 12.5(13); 33; 65.

Cross Reference:  505    Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      607.1  Student Guidance and Counseling Program

Approved:  June 12, 1989, Nov 17, 2014, January 25, 2021     
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Sep 22, 2014, Nov. 16, 2020     
Revised:  Sep 22, 2014                       

 

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. Students who are allowed to be excluded from a program or activity which violates their religious beliefs are required to do an alternate supervised activity or study.

In notifying the superintendent, the parents shall 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.

 

 

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. (2013).

Cross Reference:  603    Instructional Curriculum
                                      606.2 School Ceremonies and Observances

Approved:  June 12, 1989, Nov 17, 2014, January 25, 2021     
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Jun 18, 2012, Sep 22, 2014; Nov. 16, 2020     
Revised:  Sep 22, 2014, Nov. 16, 2020     

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.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 261E.6, E.7; 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2013).
                                        281 I.A.C. 12, 22.

Cross Reference:  505         Student Scholastic Achievement
                                        604.3      Program for Talented and Gifted Students

Approved: Jan. 15, 2018, February 28, 2019, January 25, 2021                                                                         
Reviewed: Dec. 19, 2017, Jan. 21, 2019, Nov. 16, 2020                          
Revised:    Dec. 19, 2017, Jan. 21, 2019  

 

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 is considered under dual enrollment.  The parent, guardian, or custodian requesting dual enrollment for the student should notify the board 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 the school district.  These policies and administrative rules will include, but not be limited to, athletic eligibility requirements, the good conduct rule, 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.

After the student notifies the school district which activities in which they wish to participate, the school district will provide information regarding the specific programs.

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

 

NOTE: This policy reflects Iowa’s dual enrollment law.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8, 299A
                                       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  Private Instruction
                                      604.9  Home School Assistance Program

Approved:  Sep. 21, 1992, Nov 17, 2014, Sep 21, 2015, January 25, 2021         
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Sep 22, 2014, Jul 27, 2015, Nov. 16, 2020      
Revised:  Sep 22, 2014, Jul 27, 2015, Nov. 16, 2020      

 

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 (2013).

Cross Reference:  501     Student Attendance
                                      507.1  Student Health and Immunization Certificates

Approved:  Oct. 13, 1997, Nov 17, 2014    
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Sep 22, 2014      
Revised:  Sep 22, 2014

 

The board, recognizing alternatives to education outside the formal public school system, authorizes the establishment of a home school assistance 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 will be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 299A (2013).
                                      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:  Sep. 12, 1992, Nov 17, 2014, January 25, 2021    
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Sep 22, 2014, Nov. 16, 2020      
Revised:  Sep 22, 2014