603.1 - Basic Instruction Program

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.

NOTE: This policy reflects the educational standards. The financial literacy requirement is effective with the 2021 graduation class. The computer science requirement for grades one through eight are effective with the school year beginning July 1, 2023. The computer science requirement for grades nine through twelve is effective with the school year beginning July 1, 2022. Districts must also develop and implement a kindergarten through grade twelve computer science plan by July 1, 2022 which incorporates the educational standards.

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.