The basic instruction program will include the courses required for each grade level by the Iowa Department of Education. The instructional approach will be gender fair and multicultural.
The basic instruction program of students enrolled in kindergarten is designed to develop healthy emotional and social habits, language arts and communication skills, the capacity to complete individual tasks, character education and the ability to protect and increase physical well-being 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 one through six will include English-language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, age-appropriate and research- based human growth and development, 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 basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades seven and eight will include English-language arts, social studies including instruction related to civics, mathematics, science, health, age-appropriate and research- based human growth and development, family and consumer science, career instruction, exploration and development, technology education, physical education, music, visual art and computer science. Computer science will be offered during at least one grade level.
The basic instruction program of students enrolled in grades nine through twelve will include English language arts (6 units), social studies (5 units), mathematics (6 units), science (5 units), health (1 unit), age-appropriate and research- based human growth and development, physical education (1 unit), fine arts (2 units), foreign language (2 units), financial literacy (1/2 unit) and 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.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations stating the required courses and optional courses for kindergarten, grades one through six, grades seven and eight, and grades nine through twelve.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232h.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 98. Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 256..9, .11; 279.8; 280.3-.14.
281 I.A.C. 12.5, 11.
I.C. Iowa Code Description
Iowa Code § 216.9 Unfair/Discriminatory Practices
Iowa Code § 256.11 DE - Educational Standards
Iowa Code § 279.8 Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees
Iowa Code § 280 Uniform School Requirements
I.A.C. Iowa ADministrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.11 General Accreditation Standards - Computer Science
281 I.A.C. 12.5 General Accreditation Standards - Education Program
U.S.C. - United States Code Description
20 U.S.C. § 1232h Education - Protection of Pupil Rights
C.F.R. - Code of Federal Regulations Description
34 C.F.R. Pt. 98 Education - Research, Experimental Programs, Testing - Student Rights
Cross References 102 Equal Educational Opportunity
102-R(1) Equal Educational Opportunity - Grievance Procedure
102-E(1) Equal Educational Opportunity - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination
102-E(3) Equal Educational Opportunity - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination
102-E(4) Equal Educational Opportunity - Notice of Section 504 STudent and Parental Rights
102-E(5) Equal Educational Opportunity - Discrimination Complaint Form
102-E(6) Equal Educational Opportunity - Witness Disclosure Form
102-E(7) Equal Educational Opportunity - Disposition of Complaint Form
103 Long-Range Needs Assessment
103-R(1) Long-Range Needs Assessment - Regulation
903.02 Community Resource Persons and Volunteers
Approved: 6/20/2016, 9/20/2021, 9/15/2025
Reviewed: 8/15/2025
Revised: 8/15/2025
