Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-17.14

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 281-17.14 - Whole school option

Any student attending a persistently dangerous school as defined in this rule is eligible to transfer to a different school within the district. Transportation for students electing to transfer will be provided according to the district's transportation policy. The transfers may be temporary or permanent, but will be in effect as long as the student's original school is identified as persistently dangerous.

In making the determination of whether a transfer should be temporary or permanent, the district will consider the educational needs of the student, as well as other factors affecting the student's ability to succeed in the student's new school environment. The district is encouraged to explore other appropriate options such as an agreement with a contiguous school district to accept students if there is no safe school within the transferring district.

(1) A persistently dangerous school is one that meets the following criteria for three consecutive school years:

a. The school has violence-related, long-term suspensions or expulsions for more than 1 percent of the student population. Long-term suspensions or expulsions are more than ten days in length and require the action of the local school board. For purposes of this subrule, a violence-related, long-term suspension or expulsion occurs as a result of physical injury or the threat of physical injury to a student while the student is in the school building or on the grounds of the attendance center during the hours of the regular school day or while the student is in attendance at school-sponsored activities that occur during the hours before or after the regular school day under one of the following:

(1) A forcible felony as defined in rule 281-17.13(20USC 7912);

(2) Offenses, excluding simple misdemeanors, involving physical assault under Iowa Code chapter 708;

(3) Offenses, excluding simple misdemeanors, involving sexual assault under Iowa Code chapter 709;

(4) Extortion under Iowa Code section 711.4;

(5) Use of incendiary or explosive devices such as bombs under Iowa Code section 712.5;

(6) Criminal gang activity under Iowa Code chapter 723A;

(7) Carrying or using a weapon under Iowa Code sections 724.3 and 724.4.

b. The school has two or more students expelled for violating the federal gun-free school laws.

c. The school has 1 percent of the enrolled student population or five students, whichever is greater, who exercised the individual student option defined in rule 281-17.15 (20USC 7912).

(2) For the school year starting July 1, 2003, and in the years thereafter, a school identified as meeting the criteria in paragraphs 17.14(1)"a" through "c" for one year will be given a warning by the department. The school will review the school's safety plan and prevention activities.

(3) For the school year starting July 1, 2004, and in the years thereafter, a school identified as meeting the criteria in paragraphs 17.14(1)"a" through "c" for two consecutive years will develop and implement a remedial plan. The plan will include schoolwide efforts to support positive student behavior and improve student discipline. The department will conduct a site visit to the school.

(4) For the school year starting July 1, 2005, and in the years thereafter, a school identified as meeting the criteria in paragraphs 17.14(1)"a" through "c" for three consecutive years is eligible to be designated as a persistently dangerous school by the department. Prior to the department's assigning the designation, the district may submit information to the department including:

a. The school's safety plan;

b. Local efforts to address the school's safety concerns;

c. The school safety data reported to the state consistent with requirements of the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program;

d. More current data that the school may have available but has not yet reported; and

e. Any other information deemed relevant.

(5) Within 30 days of receipt and review of the information, the department may determine that the school demonstrates improvement and may delay the designation for one year. By July 31, the department may, upon review of information that demonstrates improvement, delay the designation for one year. The department will determine whether the district has made sufficient progress to warrant further consideration as a persistently dangerous school.

(6) Upon designation, the district will adopt a corrective action plan, to be approved by the department. The department will monitor the district's timely completion of the approved plan. The department will annually assess the school using the criteria listed in paragraphs 17.14(1)"a" through "c" by July 31 to determine whether the school will remain identified as a persistently dangerous school for the following school year.

(7) At minimum, a district that has one or more schools identified as persistently dangerous will, within 14 days of the designation, notify parents of each student attending the school that the school has been identified by the department as persistently dangerous. The district must offer students the opportunity to transfer to a safe public school within the district; and for those students who accept the offer, the district will complete the transfer. A district may deny the transfer if space at the requested school is unavailable. A district will offer the parent other available options within the district, when available.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-17.14

Amended by IAB August 25, 2021/Volume XLIV, Number 4, effective 9/29/2021

Adopted by IAB April 17, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 21, effective 5/22/2024