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 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.
Beginning with the class of 2022, requirements for students in special education to earn a regular high school diploma will include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of science, three years of social studies, and the completion of the district’s physical education requirements.
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 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
285N.W.2d 173 (Iowa 1979).
20 U.S.C. §§1400 et seq. (2010).
34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq. (2010).
Iowa Code §§ 256.11(7); 256B; 273.1, .2, .5, .9(2)-(3); 280.8 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 41.109.
Cross Reference: 503 Student Discipline
505.5 Graduation Requirements
506 Student Records
507.2 Administration of Medication to Students
507.8 Student Special Health Services
601.1 School Calendar
603 Instructional Curriculum
Approved: Feb. 11, 1985, Nov 17, 2014, Jan. 20, 2020, April 12, 2021
Reviewed: Aug. 24, 2005, Nov. 8, 2010, Sep 22, 2014, Dec. 02, 2019, Mar. 15, 2021
Revised: Nov. 10, 1997, Oct. 9, 2000, Sep 22, 2014, March 15, 2021
