PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
The Winfield Mt. Union 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 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 is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference:
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 July 1999
Reviewed October 2021
Revised October 2021
COMPETENT PRIVATE INSTRUCTION REPORT
Iowa Code § 299.4
20__-20__ School Year
Form A (Completed by the Parent) Date when returned___________
Required information:
Required Information: See instructions before completing (pages 4-6).
The following information is required in accordance with Iowa Code section 299A.9. Parent/Guardian must submit this report in duplicate to the school district of residence. This report is required if the student is between the ages of 6 years old and 15 by September 15 and does not attend an Iowa public or accredited nonpublic school or is not enrolled in a home school assistance program operated by an Iowa public or accredited nonpublic school. Return this form to the school district secretary by September 15 or within 14 calendar days of removing the student from a public or accredited nonpublic school or 14 calendar days from moving into the school district. (If you are enrolled in a home school assistance program, please notify the district if you plan to dual enroll.)
1. Child and Family Information: (Name and birth date of child under competent private instruction.)
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Name: |
Birth Date: |
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2. Name and address of person filing report. (Please check the appropriate box after “name”)
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Parent |
Guardian |
Legal Custodian |
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3. Immunization Evidence: If filing Form A for the 1st time, attach immunization information.
(Proof of immunization is required of all children receiving CPI, including those enrolled in a HSAP)
4. Instructional Program Information:
Outline the course of study on a separate page(s) as shown below. Attach lesson plans on separate page(s).
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Subject: |
Text, Publisher, and Author: |
Time Spent: |
5. List number of days of instruction under competent private instruction ____________
(Must be at least 148 days per academic year, Iowa Code section 299A.1).
6. If an appropriately licensed Iowa teacher will provide or supervise the parent, guardian, or legal custodian in providing the instruction, give the teacher’s name and folder number.
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Teacher signature- (optional): |
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7. If an Iowa licensed teacher is not providing instruction or supervising the parent, guardian, or legal custodian providing instruction the child must take an annual assessment. (Please see the acceptable annual assessments listed in this Iowa Department of Education handbook: http://tinyurl.com/52xj2t ). The school district will notify parents by October 1st of testing dates.)
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Parent / Guardian / Legal Custodian Signature: |
The Following Information is Optional….
However, if you want your child to access special education programs or services,
Or if your child plans to participate in any academic or extracurricular activities at your local school district,
Or if you wish to have your child’s annual assessment provided at no charge, complete the following:
8. Is the child currently identified as a child requiring special education pursuant to the rules of special education? (281-31.2(1)”b”(2). ______Yes ______No
If the child is currently identified as a child requiring special education, prior approval must be sought from the special education director at the Area Education Agency before the child may receive Competent Private Instruction in Iowa. Iowa Code section 299A.9
9. Do you desire dual enrollment in the public school for the child under competent private instruction?
Yes ___ No ___ (If no, skip to #10.)
Dual enrollment is desired for: (Check all that apply)
A. Academic ____ Extra-curricular activities ____ Testing ____ Special Education ______
B. Grade Level for the 20__-___ school year _________
C. Subjects or Activities you wish your child to dual enroll in:
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10. Do you desire to enroll in a Home School Assistance Program if offered? Yes _____ No _____
Deadline for dual enrollment and/or Home School Assistance Program is September 15th, within 14 calendar days after moving to the district, or within 14 calendar days after removing the child from school.
Note: Due to the restrictions as to the number of students who may be served in a Home School Assistance Program, timely filed requests may be denied if the program already serves 20 families or 40 students per teacher. 281-IAC 31.3(3)
Parents with children under competent private instruction need to submit two copies of Form A to the local public school district. After the school district receives and checks the form for completion, one copy of the form should be filed with the local district and the other copy the district sends to the secretary of the AEA. DO NOT SEND A COPY TO THE Department of Education. NOTE: If you change your district of residence during the school year, you must also complete this form for your new district of residence.
The due date is the first day of school or no more than 14 calendar days after the child has been removed from an Iowa accredited school or after moving into the district,
The form is designed to allow the parent to provide the required information, items 1-6. Items 7 and 8 are informational and items 9 and 10 are optional. If you plan to dual enroll your child in an academic course or extracurricular activity, complete item 9. (See the timeline page 8 in the handbook http://tinyurl.com/3vd6aq ) for an explanation of the dual enrollment deadline.)
Items 1& 2: All information must be supplied. Only one child per form.
Item 3: If filing Form A for the first time, attach immunization evidence. A child who begins home schooling/competent private instruction for the first time in Iowa (including children enrolled in a HSAP) must have received the required immunizations unless parents file a doctor’s statement or an affidavit of religious exemption as outlined in section 139A.8, Code of Iowa. For exemption forms, please call 1-888-398-9696.
Item 4: List the subjects taught, the texts used, the text publisher or author, and the amount of time spent on each subject listed. Parents need to attach the course of study information separately. Lesson plans may be accepted for the entire year or for shorter periods of time. The lessons should show evidence of planning.
Item 5: The number listed must be at least 148 school days. Exception: If a child was enrolled in a public or accredited nonpublic school during the current academic year, then switched to home schooling, the number on this line may be the number of days remaining of the 148 school days after subtracting the number of days the child was in attendance in the school.
Item 6: In some situations, a person other than the child’s parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian either provides or supervises the instruction for the child. This person must hold a valid Iowa-teaching license appropriate to the age and grade of the child. The teacher’s name, address, and folder number must be provided in this item. The school district will check the licensure of this person by contacting the Bureau of Practitioner Preparation and Licensure, Iowa Department of Education at the following Web site: http://www.boee.iowa.gov/ or by calling (1-515-281-3245). An elementary classroom teacher license is appropriate for teaching or supervising home schooling in grades K-6; a middle school or secondary license is appropriate for grades 5-8, and a secondary classroom teacher license is appropriate for grades 7-12. If item 6 is blank, and the child is between the ages of 7 and 15, inclusive, during the current school year, the child is subject to the baseline testing/annual assessment requirement. (If parent/guardian/legal custodian is a licensed teacher or working with a licensed teacher who holds a license appropriate to the age and grade of the child or if the child is enrolled in a private school accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization, the child is not required to take an annual assessment. A courtesy test may be requested, see note in item number 7.)
Item 7: Children receiving competent private instruction are subject to the assessment requirement if they fit both of these criteria:
1. AGE -- the child is between the ages of 7 and 15, inclusive, of the current school year.
2. TEACHER -- the child’s instruction is not provided or supervised by a person holding a valid Iowa teacher license appropriate to the age and grade of the child.
All children fitting both criteria must have a baseline test in their first year of home schooling. Each year after the baseline test, as long as they still fit both criteria, they need an annual assessment of educational progress, which may be conducted using standardized testing, portfolio assessment, or a report card from an accredited correspondence school, Children under or over the age limits by September 15 are not subject to the annual assessment. Likewise, if an appropriately licensed Iowa teacher provides or supervises a parent, guardian, or legal custodian in providing the child’s instruction, the child is not subject to assessment, regardless of age.
Subjects that must be assessed:
● For children up through grade 5: Reading, Language Arts, and Mathematics:
● For children in grades 6-12: Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
Home-schooled children subject to the testing requirement must be tested annually in these subjects even if the school district does not test its own students. National percentile ranks and national grade equivalents must be included on the score report from the test scoring service.
A detailed list of tests is in this handbook. Schools or AEAs providing the testing should attempt to accommodate these preferences. Schools may provide the testing themselves or may delegate it to the AEA. Schools should notify parents by October 1 of the dates, sites, and time of testing. If parents of a dual enrolled student subject to the assessment requirement request testing in their home, it must be provided at that site. If a portfolio is used as an annual assessment, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian identifies the licensed teacher to evaluate the portfolio. The deadline for completing assessments is May 1st of each year and the test administrator or portfolio evaluator must send a copy of the results to the parents and the school district by June 30. An evaluator holding an elementary teaching license is appropriate for evaluating a portfolio for students in grades K-6, a middle school license for grades 5-8, and a secondary classroom teacher license is appropriate for grades 7-12. 281 l.A.C. 31.7(4)
Special note about "courtesy testing." Occasionally, parents of children who are not subject to the baseline/annual assessment requirement may want their child tested anyway. As when an annual assessment is required, if the child is not dual enrolled, the parents pay the costs. If the child is dual enrolled, the school or AEA must provide the testing free, but need not provide a test, testing time, or testing site other than the one(s) established by the school for its regular enrollees.
Item 8: A child of compulsory attendance age, who is identified as requiring special education under chapter 256B and is receiving Competent Private Instruction, is eligible for placement under Competent Private Instruction with prior approval of the placement by the director of special education of the area education agency of the child’s district of residence. It is the duty of the parent/guardian to send a copy of Form A to the school district and the Area Education Agency Director of Special Education for approval. Iowa Code section 299A.9
Note: In order for a child who receives CPI to receive special education services, the child must be dual enrolled. (See Item 9)
Item 9: Dual enrolled students may participate in coursework or activities on the same basis as regularly enrolled students. This item is required if parents wish to have their children participate in an academic course, extra curricular activity, or to have the standardized test paid for by the district. Dual enrollment is also required if the child is to receive special education programs or services. If parents/guardians/legal custodians want their child dual enrolled in a course or activity the course or activities need to be listed. Districts need to develop procedures to ensure that dual enrolled students and their parents are given adequate notice of the time and place of the activities they have chosen.
The deadline for dual enrollment is September 1 5 if the parents begin CPI at the start of the school year, 14 calendar days after moving, or 14 calendar days after withdrawing from school. The district may deny dual enrollment if the request is after the deadline.
Item 10: School districts are not required to offer a home school assistance program. If your local school district has a program, students will be supervised by a licensed teacher that is hired by the school district. To participate in courses or activities that are offered by the school, the child must be dual enrolled. (This item is designed to help districts determine if they need to start a program.)
SCHOOLS-Please give parents the FERPA notification letter when a Form A is requested. Districts will determine what directory information is and who the local contact is. When the parent gives “opt out” instructions to the school, the AEA’s have requested that the LEA send a copy to them.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS-Please review the FERPA form and return to the school.
UPLOAD FORM.
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 July 1999
Reviewed August 2020
Revised
The board recognizes some students require programming beyond the regular education program. The school district 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.
281 I.A.C. 12.5(12); 59.
Cross Reference:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
604.6 Instruction at a Post-Secondary Educational Institution
Approved July 1999
Reviewed August 2020
Revised
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.
281 I.A.C. 12.5(13); 33; 61; 65.
Cross Reference:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
607.1 Student Guidance and Counseling Program
Approved July 1999
Reviewed August 2020
Revised
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 will abide by the following:
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 July 1999
Reviewed August 2020
Revised
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.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 256.7, .11; 258; 261E; 279.61, 280.3, 280.14
281 I.A.C. 12 and 22
Cross Reference:
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
604.3 Program for Talented and Gifted Students
Approved July 1999
Reviewed May 2023
Revised May 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 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 is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.8, 299A.
Cross Reference:
502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
503 Student Discipline
504 Student Activities
507 Student Health and Well-Being
604.1 Competent Private Instruction
604.9 Home School Assistance Program
Approved July 1999
Reviewed August 2020
Revised
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:
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code § 279.8.
Cross Reference:
501 Student Attendance
507.1 Student Health and Immunization Certificates
Approved July 1999
Reviewed August 2020
Revised
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 shall 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 Student Records
605.4 Technology in the Classroom
605.6 Internet Appropriate Use
501.6 Student Transfers In
Approved July 2020
Reviewed July 2020
Revised