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602.1 - Basic Instruction Program

The basic instruction program will include, but not be limited to, the courses required for each grade level by the Iowa Department of Education and reflect educational standards. The instructional approach will be gender-fair and multicultural.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in early childhood programming will include curricula and instruction designed to develop and extend literacy skills in expressive and receptive language, numeracy, social and interaction skills, and fine and gross motor skill acquisition.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in junior kindergarten or kindergarten is designed to develop healthy emotional and social habits, literacy and communication skills, numeracy, the capacity to complete individual tasks, character education, and the ability to protect and increase physical wellbeing with attention given to experiences relating to the development of life skills and human growth and development.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades 1 through 6 will include English language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, physical education, traffic safety, music, and visual arts and computer science. Computer science will be offered during at least one grade level.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades 7 and 8 will include English language arts, social studies including instruction related to civics, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, family and consumer science, career, technology education, physical education, music, visual arts, world languages, and computer science. Computer science will be offered during at least one grade level.

The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 will include English language arts (6 units), social studies (5 units), mathematics (6 units), science (5 units), health (1 unit), physical education (1 unit), fine arts (3 units), foreign language (4 units), financial literacy (1/2 unit), vocational education (12 units), and computer science (1/2 unit).

The board may, in its discretion, offer additional courses in the instruction program for any grade level.

Each instruction program is 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.

An individual student may advance through the academic sequence offered in the instruction program at an accelerated pace provided the age, appropriateness, and affordability can be reasonably accommodated.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to develop administrative regulations stating the required courses and optional courses for early childhood, junior kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1 through 6, grades 7 and 8, and grades 9 through 12.


Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 6/11; 1/18; 2/24
Revised: 7/12; 9/13; 4/15; 9/19; 2/21; 6/21; 8/24
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 216.9; 256.11; 279.8; 280.3-14; 281 IAC 12.5, .11; 20 USC § 1232h; 34 CFR Pt 98
IASB Reference: 603.01