Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-22.26

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 10, November 13, 2024

Rule 281-22.26 - [Effective until 7/17/2024] Regional academies

A regional academy is a program established by a school district to which multiple school districts send students in grades 7 through 12. In addition to partnering with other school districts, the school district establishing a regional academy may enter into a contract or a chapter 28E agreement with one or more accredited nonpublic schools, area education agencies, community colleges, accredited public or nonpublic postsecondary institutions, businesses, and private agencies located within or outside of Iowa.

(1)Purpose. A regional academy shall be established to build a culture of innovation for students and community; to diversify educational and economic opportunities by engaging in learning experiences that involve students in complex, real-world projects; and to develop regional or global innovation networks.

(2)Curriculum. A regional academy shall include in its curriculum advanced-level courses. A regional academy may include in its curriculum career and technical courses and core curriculum coursework. The coursework may be delivered virtually, or via the ICN, asynchronous learning networks, or Internet-based delivery systems.

(3)Supplementary weighting. School districts participating in regional academies are eligible for supplementary weighting as provided in Iowa Code section 257.11(2). The school districts participating in the regional academy shall enter into an agreement on how the funding generated by the supplementary weighting received shall be used and shall submit the agreement, as well as a copy of the minutes of meetings of the local school district boards of directors in which the boards approved the agreement, to the department for approval by October I of the year in which the districts intend to request supplementary weighting for the regional academy.

(4)Student plan. Information regarding regional academies shall be provided to a student and the student's parent or guardian prior to the development of the student's core curriculum plan under Iowa Code section 279.61.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-22.26

ARC 8187B, lAB 10/7/09, effective 11/11/09; ARC 9902B, lAB 12/14/11, effective 1/18/12