Code No. 604.1
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
The Riverside Community School Distrcit 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:
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 6-18-01 Revised 7-21-2021
Code No. 604.2
INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION
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.
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised 7-20-2020
Code No. 604.3
INTERNATIONAL STUDY
The board recognizes some students may wish to take courses outside the country. The board must approve international exchange student study programs prior to acceptance of the program by the student. The board's approval is not an assumption of liability, but rather an approval of the credits from the program toward the graduation requirements.
Students must obtain board approval prior to participating in the international exchange student program, unless 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 been in the past.
The students and employees or others, traveling with the students, shall assume all costs and have personal insurance and liability protection. The school district assumes no cost or liability for the participants.
It shall 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 (2007).
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised 7-20-2020
Code No. 604.4
PROGRAM FOR TALENTED AND GIFTED STUDENTS
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:
281 I.A.C. 12.5(12); 59.
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised 7-20-2020
Code No. 604.5
PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS
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; 65.
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised 7-20-2020
Code No. 604.6
RELIGIOUS-BASED EXCLUSION FROM A SCHOOL PROGRAM
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:
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.
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised 7-20-2020
Code No. 604.7
INSTRUCTION AT A POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
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. 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.
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 §§ 256.7, 11; 258; 261E; 279.61, 280.3, 280.14
281 I.A.C. 12 and 22
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised 4-20-2020
Code No. 604.8
DUAL ENROLLMENT
The parent, guardian, or custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction may also enroll the student in the school district. The student shall be considered under dual enrollment. The parent, guardian, or custodian requesting dual enrollment for the student should notify the board secretary prior to the third Friday of September each year on forms provided by the school district. On the form, they shall 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 shall apply to the dual enrollment students in the same manner as the other students enrolled the school district. These policies and administrative rules shall include, but not be limited to, athletic eligibility requirements, the good conduct rule, academic eligibility requirements, and payment of the fees required for participation.
A dual enrollment student whose parent, guardian, or custodian who 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 shall notify the dual enrollment student of the extracurricular and academic activities in which the student wishes to participate.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8, 299A (2007).
81I.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
604.1El Competent Private Instruction Report
604.10 Home School Assistance Program
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised ____________
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 604.9
FOREIGN STUDENTS
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 (2007).
Cross Reference: 501 Student Attendance
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised 4-14-08
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 604.10
HOME SCHOOL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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 shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8; 299A (2007). 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
604.1El Competent Private Instruction Report
604.8 Dual Enrollment
Approved 9-13-93 Reviewed 2-25-13 Revised
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 604.11
APPRORIATE USE OF ONLINE LEARNING PALTFORMS
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
Approved 2-25-13 Reviewed 7-20-2020 Revised 7-20-2020