EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
603.3 - SPECIAL EDUCATION
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 shall be required to meet the requirements stated in board policy or as modified in their Individualized Education Programs (IEP) consistent with board policy, for graduation. However, beginning with the graduating class of 2022, students receiving special education services shall meet the state requirement of completing four years of English-language arts and three years each of mathematics, science and social students, known as 4-3-3-3, aligned to state required standards, with support and accommodations as described in their IEP for graduation with a regular diploma. A student’s IEP Team may determine how a particular student meets 4-3-3-3.
The superintendent may provide a certificate of completion/attendance to those students receiving special education services who do not complete requirements for graduation with a regular diploma, including 4-3-3-3. Student who receive a certificate of completion/attendance remain eligible for special education services until they reach maximum age of twenty-one.
Special education students are required to meet the requirements stated in board policy or 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
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.
NOTE: This is a mandatory policy and reflects state and federal law.
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. (2004).
34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq. (2004).
Iowa Codes §§ 256.11(7); 256B; 273.1, .2, .5, .9(2)-(3); 280.8 (2007).
281 I.A.C. 41.
Cross Reference: 503 Student Discipline
506 Student Records
505.5 Graduation Requirements
507.2 Administration of Medication to Students
507.8 Student Special Health Services
601.1 School Calendar
603 Instructional Curriculum
Approved: 3/17/66
Reviewed: 7/15/19, 10/18/21
Revised: 7/15/19