603.3 Special Education

The Board of Directors recognizes that some students have different educational needs than other students. The Board shall provide a free appropriate educational 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 or age twenty-one, in accordance with Iowa Code 281.8. The Board shall provide an appropriate education for a student in need of special education. Children requiring special education shall attend general education classes, participate in extracurricular 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 shall be written in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Special education students shall be required to meet the requirements stated in board policy for graduation or in their IEP’s. Prior to the student’s graduation the IEP team shall determine that the requirements have been met.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and the area education agency Director of Special Education to provide or make provision for appropriate special education and related services.

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.

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.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq.
Iowa Code §§ 256.11(7); 256B; 273.1, .2, .5, .9(2)-(3); 280.8.
281 I.A.C. 41.109; 41.404

Cross Reference:  Policy 605.4 Graduation Requirements

Adoption:  Unknown
Modified:  08/02/21
Reviewed:  07/19/21