The basic instruction program shall include the courses required for each grade level by the State Department of Education.
The basic instruction program of students enrolled in kindergarten shall be designed to develop growth in language arts and communication skills, the capacity to complete individual tasks, and the ability to protect and increase physical well-being with attention given to experiences relating to the development of life skills.
The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades one through six shall include English-language arts, social studies including instruction related to civics, mathematics, science, health, physical education, traffic safety, music, visual art, and computer science. Career planning and pathways will also be taught in grades five and six. Computer science will be offered during at least one grade level.
The board may, in its discretion, offer additional courses in the instruction program for any grade level.
Each instruction program shall be carefully planned for optimal benefit taking into consideration the financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the board or superintendent. Each instruction program's plan should describe the program, its goals, the effective materials, the activities and the method for student evaluation.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations stating the required courses and optional courses for kindergarten and grades one through six.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232h
34 C.F.R. Pt. 98
Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 256.11; 279.8; 280.3-.14
281 I.A.C. 12.5.
Cross Reference: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity
103 Long-Range Needs Assessment
505 Student Scholastic Achievement
602 Curriculum Development
603 Instructional Curriculum
Approved: 8/23/94
Reviewed: 02/10/97; 11/14/00; 1/10/05; 12/09/09; 12/10/14; 1/16/20; 3/11/25
Revised: 12/8/2020; 7/9/24; 7/16/25; 7/15/26