In the event a child of compulsory attendance age does not attend public school or an accredited non-public school, the child must receive competent private instruction or independent private instruction.
A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner, competent private instruction for a student by a non-licensed individual or independent private instruction must meet the requirements outlined under Iowa law.
A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner shall notify the school district prior to the first day of school on forms provided by the school district. The forms are available in the central administration office. One copy of the completed forms will be kept by the school district and another copy will be forwarded to the appropriate Area Education Agency.
A parent choosing competent private instruction for a student by a non-licensed individual may notify the school district prior to the first day of school on forms provided by the school district. The forms are available in the central administration office. One copy of the completed forms will be kept by the school district and another copy will be forwarded to the appropriate Area Education Agency.
A parent choosing independent private instruction for a student may be asked to provide a report identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the authority responsible for the independent instruction, and the names of the students enrolled to the school district.
The superintendent or superintendent’s designee will determine whether the completed form or report is in compliance with the law. The school district shall report non-compliance with the reporting, immunization, attendance, instructor qualifications, and assessment requirements of the compulsory attendance law to the county attorney of the county of residence of the student's parent, guardian, or custodian.
Students receiving competent private instruction or independent private instruction are eligible to request open enrollment to another school district. The receiving school district shall not bill the resident school district unless the receiving school district complies with the reporting requirements. If the parent, guardian, or custodian fails to comply with the compulsory attendance requirements, the receiving school district shall notify the resident school district. The resident school district shall then report the non-compliance to the county attorney of the county of residence of the parent, guardian, or custodian.
Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner must make adequate progress. Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner shall be monitored for progress by the supervising teacher. Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner may be assessed annually. The school district will provide any optional assessments at no cost.
Students receiving competent private instruction by a non-licensed individual must make adequate progress. Students receiving competent private instruction by a non-licensed individual shall be evaluated annually by the parent, guardian or legal custodian to ensure adequate progress is being made. Students receiving competent private instruction from a non-licensed individual may be assessed annually. The school district will provide any optional assessments at no cost.
Students receiving competent private instruction by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner and students receiving competent private instruction from a non-licensed individual may dual enroll with the school district. Students receiving individual private instruction may not dual enroll with the school district.
Upon the request of a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a student receiving competent private instruction or upon referral of a licensed practitioner who provides instruction or instructional supervision of a student under competent private instruction, the school district shall refer a student who may require special education to the appropriate Area Education Agency, Division of Special Education, for evaluation.
Approved: June 29, 2015
Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024