256.1 Department established.

1. The department of education is established to act in a policymaking and advisory capacity and to exercise general supervision over the state system of education including all of the following:

a. Public elementary and secondary schools.

b. Community colleges.

c. Area education agencies.

d. Vocational rehabilitation.

e. Educational supervision over the elementary and secondary schools under the control of an administrator of a division of the department of human services.

f. Nonpublic schools to the extent necessary for compliance with Iowa school laws.

2. The department shall stimulate and encourage educational radio and television and other educational communications services as necessary to aid in accomplishing the educational objectives of the state.

3. The department shall meet the informational needs of the three branches of state government.

4. The department shall provide for the improvement of library services to all Iowa citizens and foster development and cooperation among libraries.

5. The department shall act as an administrative, supervisory, and consultative state agency.

256.10 Employment of professional staff.

The salary of the director shall be fixed by the governor within a range established by the general assembly. Appointments to the professional staff of the department shall be without reference to political party affiliation, religious affiliation, sex, or marital status, but shall be based solely upon fitness, ability, and proper qualifications for the particular position. The professional staff shall serve at the discretion of the director. A member of the professional staff shall not be dismissed for cause without appropriate due process procedures including a hearing.

256.10A Duties of consultants.

Consultants employed by the director and paid from the fund created by section 8.41 from moneys received from Pub. L. No. 97-35, Title V, subtitle D, chapter 2, shall assist those employees designated by the department as school improvement specialists in helping school districts to participate in school improvement activities identified as a result of the accreditation process conducted pursuant to section 256.11. The department shall assign consultants to assist school districts that the department determines are most in need of participation in school improvement activities.

For the purpose of this section, "school improvement specialist" means a consultant employed by the department who is responsible for the accreditation of school districts under section 256.11.

256.11 Educational standards.

The state board shall adopt rules under chapter 17A and a procedure for accrediting all public and nonpublic schools in Iowa offering instruction at any or all levels from the prekindergarten level through grade twelve. The rules of the state board shall require that a multicultural, nonsexist approach is used by schools and school districts. The educational program shall be taught from a multicultural, nonsexist approach. Global perspectives shall be incorporated into all levels of the educational program.

The rules adopted by the state board pursuant to section 256.17, Code Supplement 1987, to establish new standards shall satisfy the requirements of this section to adopt rules to implement the educational program contained in this section.

The educational program shall be as follows:

1. If a school offers a prekindergarten program, the program shall be designed to help children to work and play with others, to express themselves, to learn to use and manage their bodies, and to extend their interests and understanding of the world about them. The prekindergarten program shall relate the role of the family to the child's developing sense of self and perception of others. Planning and carrying out prekindergarten activities designed to encourage cooperative efforts between home and school shall focus on community resources. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a prekindergarten teacher shall hold a license certifying that the holder is qualified to teach in prekindergarten. A nonpublic school which offers only a prekindergarten may, but is not required to, seek and obtain accreditation.

If the board of directors of a school district contracts for the operation of a prekindergarten program, the program shall be under the oversight of an appropriately licensed teacher. If the program contracted with was in existence on July 1, 1989, oversight of the program shall be provided by the district. If the program contracted with was not in existence on July 1, 1989, the director of the program shall be a licensed teacher and the director shall provide program oversight. Any director of a program contracted with by a school district under this section who is not a licensed teacher is required to register with the department of education.

2. The kindergarten program shall include experiences designed to develop healthy emotional and social habits and growth in the language arts and communication skills, as well as a capacity for the completion of individual tasks, and protect and increase physical well-being with attention given to experiences relating to the development of life skills and human growth and development. A kindergarten teacher shall be licensed to teach in kindergarten. An accredited nonpublic school must meet the requirements of this subsection only if the nonpublic school offers a kindergarten program.

3. The following areas shall be taught in grades one through six: English-language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, human growth and development, physical education, traffic safety, music, and visual art. The health curriculum shall include the characteristics of communicable diseases including acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The state board as part of accreditation standards shall adopt curriculum definitions for implementing the elementary program.

4. The following shall be taught in grades seven and eight: English-language arts; social studies; mathematics; science; health; human growth and development, family, consumer, career, and technology education; physical education; music; and visual art. The health curriculum shall include the characteristics of sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The state board as part of accreditation standards shall adopt curriculum definitions for implementing the program in grades seven and eight. However, this subsection shall not apply to the teaching of family, consumer, career, and technology education in nonpublic schools.

5. In grades nine through twelve, a unit of credit consists of a course or equivalent related components or partial units taught throughout the academic year. The minimum program to be offered and taught for grades nine through twelve is:

a. Five units of science including physics and chemistry; the units of physics and chemistry may be taught in alternate years.

b. Five units of the social studies including instruction in voting statutes and procedures, voter registration requirements, the use of paper ballots and voting machines in the election process, and the method of acquiring and casting an absentee ballot. All students shall complete a minimum of one-half unit of United States government and one unit of United States history. The one-half unit of United States government shall include the voting procedure as described in this lettered paragraph and section 280.9A. The government instruction shall also include a study of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution and an assessment of a student's knowledge of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The county auditor, upon request and at a site chosen by the county auditor, shall make available to schools within the county voting machines or sample ballots that are generally used within the county, at times when these machines or sample ballots are not in use for their recognized purpose.

c. Six units of English-language arts.

d. Four units of a sequential program in mathematics.

e. Two additional units of mathematics.

f. Four sequential units of one foreign language other than American sign language. Provision of instruction in American sign language shall be in addition to and not in lieu of provision of instruction in other foreign languages. The department may waive the third and fourth years of the foreign language requirement on an annual basis upon the request of the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of a nonpublic school if the board or authorities are able to prove that a licensed teacher was employed and assigned a schedule that would have allowed students to enroll in a foreign language class, the foreign language class was properly scheduled, students were aware that a foreign language class was scheduled, and no students enrolled in the class.

g. All students physically able shall be required to participate in physical education activities during each semester they are enrolled in school except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. A minimum of one-eighth unit each semester is required. A twelfth grade student who meets the requirements of this paragraph may be excused from the physical education requirement by the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled if the parent or guardian of the student requests in writing that the student be excused from the physical education requirement. A student who wishes to be excused from the physical education requirement must be seeking to be excused in order to enroll in academic courses not otherwise available to the student, or be enrolled or participating in one of the following:

(1) A cooperative or work-study program or other educational program authorized by the school which requires the student to leave the school premises for specified periods of time during the school day.

(2) An organized and supervised athletic program which requires at least as much participation per week as one-eighth unit of physical education.

Students in grades nine through eleven may be excused from the physical education requirement in order to enroll in academic courses not otherwise available to the student if the board of directors of the school district in which the school is located, or the authorities in charge of the school, if the school is a nonpublic school, determine that students from the school may be permitted to be excused from the physical education requirement. A student may be excused by the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled, in consultation with the student's counselor, for up to one semester, trimester, or the equivalent of a semester or trimester, per year if the parent or guardian of the student requests in writing that the student be excused from the physical education requirement. The student seeking to be excused from the physical education requirement must, at some time during the period for which the excuse is sought, be a participant in an organized and supervised athletic program which requires at least as much time of participation per week as one-eighth unit of physical education.

The principal of the school shall inform the superintendent of the school district or nonpublic school that the student has been excused. Physical education activities shall emphasize leisure time activities which will benefit the student outside the school environment and after graduation from high school.

h. A minimum of three sequential units in at least four of the following six vocational service areas: agriculture, business or office occupations, health occupations, family and consumer sciences or home economics occupations, industrial technology or trade and industrial education, and marketing education. Instruction shall be competency-based, articulated with postsecondary programs of study, and include field, laboratory, or on-the-job training. Each sequential unit shall include instruction in a minimum set of competencies established by the department of education that relate to the following: new and emerging technologies; job- seeking, job-adaptability, and other employment, self- employment and entrepreneurial skills that reflect current industry standards and labor-market needs; and reinforcement of basic academic skills. The instructional programs shall also comply with the provisions of chapter 258 relating to vocational education. However, this paragraph does not apply to the teaching of vocational education in nonpublic schools.

The department of education shall permit school districts, in meeting the requirements of this section, to use vocational core courses in more than one vocational service area and to use multi-occupational courses to complete a sequence in more than one vocational service area.

i. Three units in the fine arts which shall include at least two of the following: dance, music, theatre, and visual art.

j. One unit of health education which shall include personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival skills; consumer health; family life; human growth and development; substance abuse and nonuse; emotional and social health; health resources; and prevention and control of disease, including sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The state board as part of accreditation standards shall adopt curriculum standards for implementing the program in grades nine through twelve.

6. A pupil is not required to enroll in either physical education or health courses if the pupil's parent or guardian files a written statement with the school principal that the course conflicts with the pupil's religious belief.

7. Programs that meet the needs of each of the following:

a. Pupils requiring special education.

b. Gifted and talented pupils.

c. Programs for at-risk students. Rules adopted by the state board to implement this paragraph shall be based upon the definition of at-risk student developed by the child coordinating council established in section 256A.2 and the department of education, and the state board shall consider the recommendations of the child coordinating council and the department in developing the rules.

8. Upon request of the board of directors of a public school district or the authorities in charge of a nonpublic school, the director may, for a number of years to be specified by the director, grant the district board or the authorities in charge of the nonpublic school exemption from one or more of the requirements of the educational program specified in subsection 5. The exemption may be renewed. Exemptions shall be granted only if the director deems that the request made is an essential part of a planned innovative curriculum project which the director determines will adequately meet the educational needs and interests of the pupils and be broadly consistent with the intent of the educational program as defined in subsection 5.

The request for exemption shall include all of the following:

a. Rationale of the project to include supportive research evidence.

b. Objectives of the project.

c. Provisions for administration and conduct of the project, including the use of personnel, facilities, time, techniques, and activities.

d. Plans for evaluation of the project by testing and observational measures of pupil progress in reaching the objectives.

e. Plans for revisions of the project based on evaluation measures.

f. Plans for periodic reports to the department.

g. The estimated cost of the project.

9. Reserved.

9A. Reserved.

10. The state board shall establish an accreditation process for school districts and nonpublic schools seeking accreditation pursuant to this subsection and subsections 11 and 12. By July 1, 1989, all school districts shall meet standards for accreditation. For the school year commencing July 1, 1989, and school years thereafter, the department of education shall use a two-phase process for the continued accreditation of schools and school districts.

Phase I shall consist of annual monitoring by the department of education of all accredited schools and school districts for compliance with accreditation standards adopted by the state board of education as provided in this section. The phase I monitoring requires that accredited schools and school districts annually complete accreditation compliance forms adopted by the state board and file them with the department of education. Phase I monitoring requires a comprehensive desk audit of all accredited schools and school districts including review of accreditation compliance forms, accreditation visit reports, methods of administration reports, and reports submitted in compliance with sections 280.12 and 280.18.

The department shall conduct site visits to schools and school districts to address accreditation issues identified in the desk audit. Such a visit may be conducted by an individual departmental consultant or may be a comprehensive site visit by a team of departmental consultants and other educational professionals. The purpose of a comprehensive site visit is to determine that a district is in compliance with minimum standards and to provide a general assessment of educational practices in a school or school district and make recommendations with regard to the visit findings for the purposes of improving educational practices above the level of minimum compliance. The department shall establish a long- term schedule of site visits that includes visits of all accredited schools and school districts at least once every five years.

Phase II requires the use of an accreditation committee, appointed by the director of the department of education, to conduct an on-site visit to an accredited school or school district if any of the following conditions exist:

a. When either the annual monitoring or the biennial on- site visit of phase I indicates that a school or school district is deficient and fails to be in compliance with accreditation standards.

b. In response to a petition filed with the director requesting such a committee visitation that is signed by twenty percent or more of the registered voters of a school district.

c. In response to a petition filed with the director requesting such a committee visitation that is signed by twenty percent or more of the parents or guardians who have children enrolled in the school or school district.

d. At the direction of the state board of education.

The number and composition of the membership of an accreditation committee shall be determined by the director and may vary due to the specific nature or reason for the visit. In all situations, however, the chairperson and a majority of the committee membership shall be from the instructional and administrative program specialty staff of the department of education. Other members may include instructional and administrative staff from school districts, area education agencies, institutions of higher education, local board members and the general public. An accreditation committee visit to a nonpublic school requires membership on the committee from nonpublic school instructional or administrative staff or board members. A member of a committee shall not have a direct interest in the nonpublic school or school district being visited.

Rules adopted by the state board may include provisions for coordination of the accreditation process under this section with activities of accreditation associations.

Prior to a visit to a school district or nonpublic school, members of the accreditation committee shall have access to all annual accreditation report information filed with the department by that nonpublic school or school district.

After visiting the school district or nonpublic school, the accreditation committee shall determine whether the accreditation standards have been met and shall make a report to the director, together with a recommendation whether the school district or nonpublic school shall remain accredited. The accreditation committee shall report strengths and weaknesses, if any, for each standard and shall advise the school or school district of available resources and technical assistance to further enhance strengths and improve areas of weakness. A school district or nonpublic school shall be provided with the opportunity to respond to the accreditation committee's report.

11. The director shall review the accreditation committee's report, and the response of the school district or nonpublic school, and provide a report and recommendation to the state board along with copies of the accreditation committee's report, the response to the report, and other pertinent information. The state board shall determine whether the school district or nonpublic school shall remain accredited. If the state board determines that a school district or nonpublic school should not remain accredited, the director, in cooperation with the board of directors of the school district, or authorities in charge of the nonpublic school, shall establish a plan prescribing the procedures that must be taken to correct deficiencies in meeting the standards, and shall establish a deadline date for completion of the procedures. The plan is subject to approval of the state board.

12. During the period of time specified in the plan for its implementation by a school district or nonpublic school, the school district or school remains accredited. The accreditation committee shall revisit the school district or nonpublic school and shall determine whether the deficiencies in the standards have been corrected and shall make a report and recommendation to the director and the state board. The committee recommendation shall specify whether the school district or school shall remain accredited or under what conditions the district may remain accredited. The conditions may include, but are not limited to, providing temporary oversight authority, operational authority, or both oversight and operational authority to the director and the state board for some or all aspects of the school district operation, in order to bring the school district into compliance with minimum standards. The state board shall review the report and recommendation, may request additional information, and shall determine whether the deficiencies have been corrected. If the deficiencies have not been corrected, and the conditional accreditation alternatives contained in the report are not mutually acceptable to the local board and the state board, the state board shall merge the territory of the school district with one or more contiguous school districts at the end of the school year. Division of assets and liabilities of the school district shall be as provided in sections 275.29 through 275.31. Until the merger is completed, and subject to a decision by the state board of education, the school district shall pay tuition for its resident students to an accredited school district under section 282.24. However, in lieu of merger and payment of tuition by a nonaccredited school district, the state board may place a district under receivership for the remainder of the school year. The receivership shall be under the direct supervision and authority of the director. The decision of whether to merge the school district and require payment of tuition for the district's students or to place the district under receivership shall be based upon a determination by the state board of the best interests of the students, parents, residents of the community, teachers, administrators, and board members of the district and the recommendations of the accreditation committee and the director. If the state board declares a nonpublic school to be nonaccredited, the removal of accreditation shall take effect on the date established by the resolution of the state board, which shall be no later than the end of the school year in which the nonpublic school is declared to be nonaccredited.

13. Notwithstanding subsections 1 through 12 and as an exception to their requirements, a private high school or private combined junior-senior high school operated for the express purpose of teaching a program designed to qualify its graduates for matriculation at accredited four-year or equivalent liberal arts, scientific, or technological colleges or universities shall be placed on a special accredited list of college preparatory schools, which list shall signify accreditation of the school for that express purpose only, if:

a. The school complies with minimum standards established by the Code other than this section, and rules adopted under the Code, applicable to:

(1) Courses comprising the limited program.

(2) Health requirements for personnel.

(3) Plant facilities.

(4) Other environmental factors affecting the programs.

b. At least eighty percent of those graduating from the school within the four most recent calendar years, other than those graduating who are aliens, graduates entering military or alternative civilian service, or graduates deceased or incapacitated before college acceptance, have been accepted by accredited four-year or equivalent liberal arts, scientific, or technological colleges or universities.

c. A school claiming to be a private college preparatory school which fails to comply with the requirement of paragraph "b" of this subsection shall be placed on the special accredited list of college preparatory schools probationally if the school complies with the requirements of paragraph "a" of this subsection, but a probational accreditation shall not continue for more than four successive years.

14. Notwithstanding subsections 1 through 13 and as an exception to their requirements, a nonpublic grade school which is reopening is accredited even if it does not have a complete grade one through grade six program. However, the nonpublic grade school must comply with other minimum standards established by law and administrative rules adopted pursuant to the law and the nonpublic grade school must show progress toward reaching a grade one through grade six program.

256.11A Guidance program--media services program--waiver.

1. Schools and school districts unable to meet the standard adopted by the state board requiring each school or school district operating a kindergarten through grade twelve program to provide an articulated sequential elementary- secondary guidance program may, not later than August 1, 1995, for the school year beginning July 1, 1995, file a written request to the department of education that the department waive the requirement for that school or school district. The procedures specified in subsection 3 apply to the request. Not later than August 1, 1996, for the school year beginning July 1, 1996, the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of a nonpublic school may request a one-year extension of the waiver.

2. Not later than August 1, 1995, for the school year beginning July 1, 1995, the board of directors of a school district, or authorities in charge of a nonpublic school, may file a written request with the department of education that the department waive the rule adopted by the state board to establish and operate a media services program to support the total curriculum for that district or school. The procedures specified in subsection 3 apply to the request. Not later than August 1, 1996, for the school year beginning July 1, 1996, the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of a nonpublic school may request an additional one-year extension of the waiver.

3. A request for a waiver filed by the board of directors of a school district or authorities in charge of a nonpublic school shall describe actions being taken by the district or school to meet the requirement for which the district or school has requested a waiver.

256.11B Vocational education instruction--nonpublic schools.

A nonpublic school which provides an educational program that includes grades nine through twelve shall offer and teach five units of occupational education subjects, which may include, but are not limited to, programs, services, and activities which prepare students for employment in business or office occupations, trade and industrial occupations, consumer and family sciences or home economics occupations, agriculture occupations, marketing occupations, and health occupations. By July 1, 1993, instruction shall be competency-based, articulated with postsecondary programs of study, and may include field, laboratory, or on-the-job training.

256.12 Sharing instructors and services.

1. The director, when necessary to realize the purposes of this chapter, shall approve the enrollment in public schools for specified courses of students who also are enrolled in private schools, when the courses in which they seek enrollment are not available to them in their private schools, provided the students have satisfactorily completed prerequisite courses, if any, or have otherwise shown equivalent competence through testing. Courses made available to students in this manner shall be considered as compliance by the private schools in which the students are enrolled with any standards or laws requiring private schools to offer or teach the courses.

2. This section does not deprive the respective boards of public school districts of any of their legal powers, statutory or otherwise, and in accepting the specially enrolled students, each of the boards shall prescribe the terms of the special enrollment, including but not limited to scheduling of courses and the length of class periods. In addition, the board of the affected public school district shall be given notice by the department of its decision to permit the special enrollment not later than six months prior to the opening of the affected public school district's school year, except that the board of the public school district may waive the notice requirement. School districts and area education agency boards shall make public school services, which shall include special education programs and services and may include health services, services for remedial education programs, guidance services, and school testing services, available to children attending nonpublic schools in the same manner and to the same extent that they are provided to public school students. However, services that are made available shall be provided on neutral sites, or in mobile units located off the nonpublic school premises as determined by the boards of the school districts and area education agencies providing the services, and not on nonpublic school property, except for health services, services funded by Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, diagnostic services for speech, hearing, and psychological purposes, and assistance with physical and communication needs of students with physical disabilities, and services of an educational interpreter, which may be provided on nonpublic school premises, with the permission of the lawful custodian.

Students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive services pursuant to this subsection shall be weighted at the level provided for in section 256B.9, subsection 1.

A local school district providing services pursuant to this subsection shall submit an accounting to the department of education by August 1 following the school year for the actual costs of the special education programs and services provided. The department shall review and approve or modify the accounting by September 1 and shall notify the department of revenue and finance of the approved accounting amount. The department of revenue and finance shall adjust the September payment to the local school district for the next fiscal year by the difference between the amount generated by the weighting for the provision of services to nonpublic school students, as provided in this subsection, and the amount of the actual costs as reflected in the local school district's accounting. Any amount paid by the department of revenue and finance shall be deducted monthly from the state foundation aid paid under section 257.16 during that fiscal year to all school districts in the state. The portion of the total amount of the approved accounting amount that shall be deducted from the state aid of a school district shall be the same as the ratio that the budget enrollment for the budget year of the school district bears to the total budget enrollment in the state for that budget year.

256.13 Nonresident pupils.

The boards of directors of two or more school districts may by agreement provide for attendance of pupils residing in one district in the schools of another district for the purpose of taking courses not offered in the district of their residence. The boards may also provide by agreement that the districts will combine their enrollments for one or more grades. Courses and grades made available to students in this manner shall be considered as complying with any standards or laws requiring the offering of such courses and grades. The boards of directors of districts entering into such agreements may provide for sharing the costs and expenses of the courses. If the agreement provides for whole grade sharing, the costs and expenses shall be paid as provided in sections 282.10 through 282.12.

256.14 Permanent revolving fund.

1. A permanent revolving fund is established for the department. Expenses incurred by the department from this fund shall be paid subject to reimbursement by the federal government.

2. There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department of education the sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars for the purpose of establishing the fund created by subsection 1. If any surplus accrues to the revolving fund in excess of the original appropriation for which there is no anticipated need or use, the governor shall order the surplus to be transferred to the general fund.

256.15 Nonpublic school advisory committee.

A nonpublic school advisory committee is established which consists of five members, to be appointed by the governor, each of them to be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the state of Iowa. The term of the members is four years. The duties of the committee are to advise the state board and the director on matters affecting nonpublic schools, including but not limited to the establishment of standards for teacher certification and the establishment of standards for, and approval of, all nonpublic schools. Notice of meetings of the state board shall be sent by the director to members of the committee.

Committee members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of their duties. Members may also be eligible to receive compensation as provided in section 7E.6. The expense money shall be paid from the appropriations to the department of education.

256.16 Specific criteria for teacher preparation and certain educators.

1. Pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 5, the state board shall adopt rules requiring all higher education institutions providing practitioner preparation to do the following:

a. Administer a basic skills test to practitioner preparation program admission candidates. Rules adopted shall require institutions to deny admission to the program to any candidate who does not successfully pass the test.

b. Include preparation in reading programs, including reading recovery, and integrate reading strategies into content area methods coursework.

c. Include in the professional education program, preparation that contributes to the education of students with disabilities and students who are gifted and talented, and preparation in classroom management addressing high-risk behaviors including, but not limited to, behaviors related to substance abuse. Preparation required under this paragraph must be successfully completed before graduation from the practitioner preparation program.

2. A person initially applying for a license shall successfully complete a professional education program containing the subject matter specified in this section, before the initial action by the board of educational examiners takes place.

256.17 Standards for accredited schools.

Repealed by 88 Acts, ch 1262, § 12.

256.18 Character education policy--pilot program.

1. It is the policy of the general assembly that Iowa's schools be the best and safest possible. To that end, each school is encouraged to instill the highest character and academic excellence in each student, in close cooperation with the student's parents, and with input from the community and educators.

Schools should make every effort, formally and informally, to stress character qualities that will maintain a safe and orderly learning environment, and that will ultimately equip students to be model citizens. These qualities include but are not limited to honesty; responsibility; respect and care for the person and property of others; self-discipline; understanding of, respect for, and obedience to law and citizenship; courage, initiative, commitment, and perseverance; kindness, compassion, service, and loyalty; fairness, moderation, and patience; and the dignity and necessity of hard work.

The department of education shall assist schools in accessing financial and curricular resources to implement programs stressing these character qualities. Schools are encouraged to use their existing resources to implement programs stressing these qualities.

2. The department of education shall establish a character education pilot program to evaluate methods for incorporating positive character qualities into all levels of the existing educational program. Schools involved in the pilot program may use phase III funds in the establishment of the program.

3. The department of education shall report to the state board and to the general assembly regarding the success of any pilot programs prior to the completion of the third year of a program.

256.19 Pilot projects to improve instructional programs.

For fiscal years in which moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for the purpose of conducting pilot projects as approved by the state board of education to improve school district instructional programs, the state board of education shall notify the department of revenue and finance of the amounts necessary for each pilot project in order to reimburse the school districts for costs related to the approved pilot projects.

256.2 Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

1. "Department" means the department of education.

2. "Director" means the director of the department of education.

3. "State board" means the state board of education.

256.20 Year around schools.

Pursuant to section 279.10, subsection 1, relating to the maintenance of school during an entire year, the board of directors of a school district may request approval from the state board of education for a pilot project for a year around three semester school year.

The application shall describe the anticipated additional costs to the school district and the benefits to be gained from the three semester school year. Students would not be required to attend school more than two semesters each school year.

Participation in a pilot project shall not modify provisions of a master contract negotiated between a school district and a certified bargaining unit pursuant to chapter 20 unless mutually agreed upon.

If moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for funding the costs of pilot projects under this section, the state board of education shall notify the department of revenue and finance of the amounts to be paid to each school district with an approved pilot project.

256.21 Sabbatical program.

If the general assembly appropriates money for grants to provide sabbaticals for teachers, a sabbatical program shall be established as provided in this section. A teacher with at least seven years of teaching experience in this state may submit an application for a sabbatical to the department of education not later than November 1 of the preceding school year.

A teacher's application shall include a plan for the use of the period of the sabbatical, including, but not limited to, additional education, use of a fellowship, conducting of research, writing relating to a particular subject area, or other activities relating to an enhancement of teaching skills. The teacher's plan must be accompanied by the written approval of the superintendent of the school district and a statement by the superintendent describing the benefits of the sabbatical to the school district.

The state board of education shall adopt rules under chapter 17A relating to submission of sabbatical plans and criteria for awarding the sabbaticals, including both the benefit to the teacher and the benefit to the school district. Sabbaticals shall be awarded by the department not later than January 1 of the preceding school year.

A sabbatical grant to a teacher shall be equal to the costs to the school district of the teacher's regular compensation as defined in section 294A.2 plus the cost to the district of the fringe benefits of the teacher. The grant shall be paid to the school district, and the district shall continue to pay the teacher's regular compensation as well as the cost to the district of the substitute teacher. Teachers and boards of school districts are encouraged to seek funding from other sources to pay the costs of sabbaticals for teachers. Grant moneys are miscellaneous income for purposes of chapter 257.

A sabbatical approved by the department may be for any period of time not exceeding one year.

A teacher granted a sabbatical under this section shall agree either to return to the school district granting the leave for a period of not less than two years or to repay to the department of education the amount of the sabbatical grant received during the leave.

Notwithstanding section 8.33, if moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for the sabbatical program for a fiscal year, the moneys shall not revert at the end of that fiscal year but shall carry over and may be expended during the next fiscal year.

This section does not preclude a school district from providing a sabbatical program for its teachers separate from the sabbatical program provided under this section.

256.22 Extended year school grant program.

1. Subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, the department shall establish an extended year school grant program to provide for the allocation of grants to school districts, or a collaboration of school districts, to provide technical assistance for conversion of an existing school to an extended school year calendar, or for investigating the possibility of converting an existing school within a district to an extended school year calendar.

2. Grant moneys shall be distributed to qualifying school districts by the department no later than October 15, 1999. Grant amounts shall be distributed as determined by the department.

3. By February 15, 1999, a school district or collaboration of districts receiving moneys under this section shall submit an interim report to the department describing the planning activities conducted by the school district or the collaboration and providing preliminary conclusions. The school district or collaboration shall submit a final report by June 1, 1999, to the department. The department shall summarize the school district reports in a final report to the chairpersons and ranking members of the house and senate standing education committees by January 1, 2000.

4. Notwithstanding section 8.33, unencumbered or unobligated funds remaining on June 30 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated shall not revert but shall be available for expenditure for the following fiscal year for purposes of this section.

256.23 Administrative advancement and recruitment program.

The department shall establish a recruitment and advancement program to provide for the allocation of grants to school corporations. A school corporation may submit plans and a budget to the department for approval of a pilot project that will encourage the advancement of women and minorities to administrative positions within that school corporation or will encourage the recruitment and employment of minorities to positions within that school corporation. The state board shall adopt rules under chapter 17A establishing criteria for approval of the pilot projects and payment of the grants. The criteria for a pilot project encouraging the advancement of women and minorities shall include the use of staff development for assisting employees of the school corporation to meet the requirements for advancement to administrative positions. School corporations approved for the establishment of pilot projects under this section shall submit reports of the results of the pilot projects to the department of education by October 1 of the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the grants are received.

256.24 through 256.29

Reserved.

256.3 State board established.

The state board of education is established for the department. The state board consists of nine members appointed by the governor subject to senate confirmation. The members shall be registered voters of the state and hold no other elective or appointive state office. A member shall not be engaged in professional education for a major portion of the member's time nor shall the member derive a major portion of income from any business or activity connected with education. Not more than five members shall be of the same political party.

The terms of office are for six years beginning and ending as provided in section 69.19.

Three of the state board members shall have substantial knowledge related to the community college system. The remaining six members shall be members of the general public.

256.30 Educational expenses for American Indians.

The department of education shall provide moneys to pay the expense of educating American Indian children residing in the Sac and Fox Indian settlement on land held in trust by the secretary of the interior of the United States in excess of federal moneys paid to the tribal council for educating the American Indian children when moneys are appropriated for that purpose. The tribal council shall administer the moneys distributed to it by the department and shall submit an annual report and other reports as required by the department to the department on the expenditure of the moneys.

The tribal council shall first use moneys distributed to it by the department of education for the purposes of this section to pay the additional costs of salaries for licensed instructional staff for educational attainment and full-time equivalent years of experience to equal the salaries listed on the proposed salary schedule for the school at the Sac and Fox Indian settlement for that school year, but the salary for a licensed instructional staff member employed on a full-time basis shall not be less than eighteen thousand dollars. The department of management shall approve allotments of moneys appropriated in this section when the department of education certifies to the department of management that the requirements of this section have been met.

256.31 Community college council.

1. A community college council is established consisting of six members. Membership of the council shall be as follows:

a. The three members of the state board of education who have knowledge of issues and concerns affecting the community college system as provided in section 256.3.

b. An additional member of the state board of education appointed annually by the president of the state board of education.

c. A community college president appointed by an association which represents the largest number of community college presidents in the state.

d. A community college trustee appointed by an association which represents the largest number of community college trustees in the state.

2. The nonboard members shall serve staggered terms of three years beginning on May 1 of the year of appointment. Vacancies on the council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall commence service on the date of appointment and shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the term.

3. The council shall assist the state board of education with substantial issues which are directly related to the community college system. The state board shall refer all substantial issues directly related to the community college system to the council. The council shall formulate recommendations on each issue referred to it by the state board and shall submit the recommendations to the state board within any specified time periods.

256.32 Council for agricultural education.

1. An advisory council for agricultural education is established, which consists of nine members appointed by the governor. The nine members shall include the following:

a. Five persons representing all areas of agriculture and diverse geographical areas.

b. The individual representing agriculture on the state council for vocational education.

c. A secondary school program instructor, a postsecondary school program instructor, and a teacher educator.

2. The council may also include as ex officio members the following persons, as determined by the voting members of the council:

a. The state future farmers of America president.

b. The current state future farmers of America alumni association president.

c. The current postsecondary agriculture students president.

d. The current young farmers educational association president.

e. A state consultant in agricultural education.

f. The secretary of agriculture or the secretary's designee.

g. A member of each house of the general assembly. This membership shall be bipartisan in composition and shall be selected by the president of the senate, after consultation with the majority leader and the minority leader of the senate, and the speaker of the house.

3. The duties of the council are to review, develop, and recommend standards for secondary and postsecondary agricultural education. The council shall annually issue a report to the state board of education and the chairpersons of the house and senate agriculture and education committees regarding both short-term and long-term curricular standards for agricultural education and the council's activities. The council shall meet a minimum of twice annually, and must have a quorum consisting of a majority of voting members present to hold an official meeting and to take any final council action. However, hearings may be held without a quorum. The chairperson shall be elected annually by and from the voting membership. The initial organizational meeting shall be called by the director of the department of education.

4. The term of membership is three years. The terms shall be staggered so that three of the terms end each year, but no member serving on the initial council shall serve less than one year. The governor shall determine the length of the initial terms of office.

256.33 Educational technology assistance.

The department shall consort with school districts, area education agencies, community colleges, and colleges and universities to provide assistance to them in the use of educational technology for instruction purposes. The department shall consult with the advisory committee on telecommunications, established in section 256.7, subsection 7, and other users of educational technology on the development and operation of programs under this section.

If moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for a fiscal year for purposes provided in this section, the programs funded by the department may include but not be limited to:

1. The development and delivery of in-service training, including summer institutes and workshops for individuals employed by elementary, secondary, and higher education corporations and institutions who are using educational technology for instructional purposes. The in-service programs shall include the use of hardware as well as effective methods of delivery and maintenance of a learning environment.

2. Research projects on ways to improve instruction at all educational levels using educational technology.

3. Demonstration projects which model effective uses of educational technology.

4. Establishment of a clearinghouse for information and research concerning practices relating to and uses of educational technology.

5. Development of curricula that could be used by approved teacher preparation institutions to prepare teachers to use educational technology in the classroom.

6. Pursuit of additional funding from public and private sources for the functions listed in this section.

Priority shall be given to programs integrating telecommunications into the classroom. The department may award grants to school corporations and higher education institutions to perform the functions listed in this section.

256.34 Conservation education program board.

1. A conservation education program board is created in the department. The board shall have five members appointed as follows:

a. One member appointed by the director of the department of education.

b. One member appointed by the director of the department of natural resources.

c. One member appointed by the president of the Iowa association of county conservation boards.

d. One member appointed by the president of the Iowa association of naturalists.

e. One member appointed by the president of the Iowa conservation education council.

Section 69.16 does not apply to appointments made pursuant to this subsection.

2. The duties of the board are to revise and produce conservation education materials and to specify stipends to Iowa educators who participate in innovative conservation education programs approved by the board. The board shall allocate the funds provided for under section 455A.19, subsection 1, for the educational materials and stipends.

3. The department shall administer the funds allocated to the conservation education program as provided in this section.

256.35 Regional autism assistance program.

The department shall establish a regional autism assistance program, to be administered by the child health specialty clinic of the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics. The program shall be designed to coordinate educational, medical, and other human services for persons with autism, their parents, and providers of services to persons with autism. The function of the program shall include, but is not limited to, the coordination of diagnostic and assessment services, the maintaining of a research base, coordination of in-service training, providing technical assistance, and providing consultation.

256.36 Math and science grant program.

1. The department shall establish a math and science education grant program to provide for the allocation of grant moneys to public school corporations and to contract for the development of statewide program models and recommendations in keeping with the goals stated in this section. A public school corporation desiring to receive grant moneys under the program may submit plans and a proposed budget to the department for approval. The department shall review each plan and its proposed budget and award grants, which may be matching funds grants, for approved plans by July 1 of the calendar year in which the approved plans were submitted. Provision of matching funds from institutional private sources shall be considered by the department in reviewing plans and proposed budgets and awarding grant moneys.

However, for the first school year for which program funds are appropriated, a board of directors of a public school corporation may submit a proposed plan and budget not later than January 1 of that school year and the department shall notify public school corporations by February 15 of that same school year that their plans have been approved or disapproved by the department.

In addition to awarding grants, and if the activity does not violate federal matching funds requirements for an Iowa math and science grant program, the department may expend funds to contract with a public or private nonprofit education organization, association, or laboratory for the development of models or recommendations with statewide applications to further the goals of this section.

2. The department shall make recommendations for, and the state board shall adopt, rules relating to program goals and program administration. The goals of the math and science education program may include, but are not limited to, the development of a model multidisciplinary science curricula that will serve as the framework for the development of individual teaching modules; the design and implementation of a statewide model for staff development in science and math education; the development of specific recommendations and rationale for changes in school standards that will facilitate improvements in math and science education and provide outcomes that serve as a standard of successful learning; provision of a sequence of competencies and instructional strategies for inclusion in teacher preparation programs for those entering math and science programs in Iowa teacher preparation institutions; development and implementation of a new statewide assessment program that is consistent with the materials and approaches envisioned; and the development and implementation strategies for recruitment and retention of females and minorities in math and science education.

The board of educational examiners may develop recommendations for specific changes in the licensing requirements for math and science teachers.

Program administration rules shall include, but are not limited to, development of standard formats and procedures for the submission and assessment of grant applications.

3. There is established in the state treasury a math and science education account that is under the control of and administered by the department of education. The department may accept gifts, grants, bequests, and other private contributions, as well as state or federal funds, and shall deposit the moneys in the account to be used for distribution as grant award moneys under the math and science education program. Moneys in the account are appropriated and may be used for the purposes of this section. The department shall not commingle federal, state, and private funds within the account. Not more than six percent of any state funds appropriated for the program may be used for administrative purposes. State funds appropriated and any interest earned on the state funds but not expended for the first two years of the program shall not revert to the general fund under section 8.33, but shall remain available for expenditure until June 30 of the third year of the program. In subsequent years, state funds and any interest earned on the state funds which are appropriated, but not expended by June 30 of the school year shall revert to the general fund as provided under section 8.33. Receipt of funds during the first year of the program shall not affect eligibility to receive funds during any subsequent years.

256.37 School restructuring and effectiveness--policy--findings.

It is the policy of the state of Iowa to provide an education system that prepares the children of this state to meet and exceed the technological, informational, and communications demands of our society. The general assembly finds that the current education system must be transformed to deliver the enriched educational program that the adults of the future will need to have to compete in tomorrow's world. The general assembly further finds that the education system must strive to reach the following goals:

1. All children in Iowa must start school ready to learn.

2. Iowa's high school graduation rate must increase to at least ninety percent.

3. Students graduating from Iowa's education system must demonstrate competency in challenging subject matter, and must have learned to use their minds well, so they may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment in a global economy.

4. Iowa students must be first in the world in science and mathematics achievement.

5. Every adult Iowan must be literate and possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

6. Every school in Iowa must be free of drugs and violence and offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning.

256.38 School-to-work transition system.

1. It is the policy of the state of Iowa to provide an education system that prepares the students of this state to meet the high skills demands of today's workplace. The general assembly recognizes the need to prepare students for any postsecondary opportunity that leads to high-wage, high- skill careers. In order to meet this need, the high school curriculum must be redesigned so students appreciate the relevance of academic course work, reach higher levels of learning in science, math, and communications skills, and acquire the ability to apply this knowledge. Career pathways will modify high school curricula and instruction to provide students with opportunities to achieve high levels of skills and knowledge within a broad range of related career areas, which will require a variety of levels of preparation.

2. The departments of education, workforce development, and economic development shall develop a statewide school-to-work transition system in consultation with local school districts, community colleges, and labor, business, and industry interests. The system shall be designed to attain the following objectives:

a. Motivate youths to stay in school and become productive citizens.

b. Set high standards by promoting higher academic performance levels.

c. Connect work and learning so that the classroom is linked to worksite learning and experience.

d. Ready students for work in order to improve their prospects for immediate employment after leaving school through career pathways that provide significant opportunity to continued education and career development.

e. Engage employers and workers by promoting their participation in the education of youth in order to ensure the development of a skilled, flexible, entry-level workforce.

f. Provide a framework to position the state to access federal resources for state youth apprenticeship systems and local programs.

256.39 Career pathways program.

1. If the general assembly appropriates moneys for the establishment of a career pathways program, the department of education shall develop a career pathways grant program, criteria for the formation of ongoing career pathways consortia in each merged area, and guidelines and a process to be used in selecting career pathways consortium grant recipients, including a requirement that grant recipients shall provide matching funds or match grant funds with in-kind resources on a dollar-for-dollar basis. A portion of the moneys appropriated by the general assembly shall be made available to schools to pay for the issuance of employability skills assessments to public or nonpublic school students. An existing partnership or organization, including a regional school-to-work partnership, that meets the established criteria, may be considered a consortium for grant application purposes. One or more school districts may be considered a consortium for grant application purposes, provided the district can demonstrate the manner in which a community college, area education agency, representatives from business and labor organizations, and others as determined within the region will be involved. Existing school-to-work partnerships are encouraged to assist the local consortia in developing a plan and budget. The department shall provide assistance to consortia in planning and implementing career pathways program efforts.

2. To be eligible for a career pathways grant, a career pathways consortium shall develop a career pathways program that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Measure the employability skills of students. Employability skills shall include, but are not limited to, reading for information, applied mathematics, listening, and writing.

b. Curricula designed to integrate academic and work-based learning to achieve high employability skills by all students related to career pathways. The curricula shall be designed through the cooperative efforts of secondary and postsecondary education professionals, business professionals, and community services professionals.

c. Staff development to implement the high-standard curriculum. These efforts may include team teaching techniques that utilize expertise from partnership businesses and postsecondary institutions.

3. In addition to the provisions of subsection 2, a career pathways program may include, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Career guidance and exploration for students.

b. Involvement and recognition of business, labor, and community organizations as partners in the career pathways program.

c. Provision for program accountability.

d. Encouragement of team teaching within the school or in partnership with postsecondary schools, and business, labor, community, and nonprofit organizations.

e. Service learning opportunities for students.

4. Business, labor, and community organizations are encouraged to market the career pathways program to the local community and provide students with mentors, shadow professionals, speakers, field trip sites, summer jobs, internships, and job offers for students who graduate with high performance records. Students are encouraged to volunteer their time to community organizations in exchange for workplace learning opportunities that do not displace current employees.

5. In developing career pathways program efforts, each consortium shall make every effort to cooperate with the juvenile courts, the department of economic development, the department of workforce development, the department of human services, and the new Iowa schools development corporation.

6. The department of education shall direct and monitor the progress of each career pathways consortium in developing career pathways programs. By January 15, 1998, the department shall submit to the general assembly any findings and recommendations of the career pathways consortia, along with the department's recommendations for specific career pathways program efforts and for appropriate funding levels to implement and sustain the recommended programs.

7. Notwithstanding section 8.33, unencumbered or unobligated funds remaining on June 30 of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated shall not revert but shall be available for expenditure for the following fiscal year for the purposes of this section.

8. A career pathways program is a comprehensive school transformation program under section 294A.14.

256.4 Oath--vacancies.

The members of the state board shall qualify by taking the regular oath of office as prescribed by law for state officers. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner in which regular appointments are required to be made.

256.40 Findings.

It is the intent of the general assembly that greater collaboration and coordination are necessary among state agencies in addressing the many challenges faced by Iowa in assuring the full development of the state's youth into the productive work force necessary for the twenty-first century. Public policy attention must be placed upon the needs of at- risk adolescents and adolescents in at-risk communities. Iowa youth are at risk of a variety of personal and social problems including drug abuse and dependency, adult criminal activities, school dropout, juvenile delinquency, adolescent suicide, and adolescent pregnancy, all of which can lead to adult unemployment and welfare dependency. Approaches to such adolescent problems should be dealt with in a comprehensive and coordinated fashion that involves the family, schools, community programs serving youth, and the private sector in providing positive youth alternatives. The state should play a significant role in aiding in such collaborative efforts within local communities.

256.41 Youth 2000 coordinating council created.

A youth 2000 coordinating council is created within the department of education. The council consists of the following persons:

1. The director of the department of education, or the director's designee.

2. The administrator of the division of job training and entrepreneurship assistance of the department of economic development, or the administrator's designee.

3. The administrator of the division of child and family services in the department of human services, or the administrator's designee.

4. The administrator of the division of substance abuse of the Iowa department of public health, or the administrator's designee.

5. The administrator of the division of criminal and juvenile justice planning in the department of human rights, or the administrator's designee.

6. The administrator of the division of children and youth programs within the department of human services, or the administrator's designee.

7. The president of the Iowa association of school boards, or the president's designee.

8. The president of the Iowa state education association, or the president's designee.

9. The drug enforcement and abuse prevention coordinator shall serve as an ex officio and nonvoting member.

256.42 Council responsibilities.

The youth 2000 coordinating council shall do all of the following:

1. Identify ways in which state agencies can coordinate the delivery of state services for youth within local communities, including ways in which local schools can coordinate services with other youth services programs.

2. Identify ways in which state policy should be modified to provide for greater collaboration in addressing youth problems and provide greater efficiency in meeting youth needs.

3. Identify program models for use in local communities for after school and summer youth employment efforts involving public-private partnerships to serve as alternatives to school dropout and drug use by youth.

4. Assist the department of education in providing oversight and assistance to the school-based youth services education program established pursuant to section 279.51.

5. Subject to the availability of funds for this purpose, award community planning grants for collaborative efforts to establish local drug prevention and youth development programs.

6. Provide assistance to local communities and the Iowa department of public health in using substance abuse prevention funds available through federal and foundation funding sources.

7. Seek outside funding support for statewide and regional workshops and conferences on collaborative efforts to address youth problems.

8. Serve as a clearinghouse on collaborative efforts to provide youth development opportunities for at-risk youth and youth in at-risk communities.

9. Report annually to the governor on public policy options available in Iowa to reduce the use of drugs by Iowa's youth and to address other important youth issues.

256.43 Staffing and technical assistance to council.

1. Staff support for the youth 2000 coordinating council shall be provided by the department of education. Staff duties shall include, but are not limited to, collecting, collating, analyzing, and presenting necessary information, data, and materials to the council; advising and assisting the council in policy analysis and the development of council recommendations; preparation of reports and other materials necessary to accomplish the goals of the council; preparation and dissemination of interagency, intergovernmental, and public communications associated with the work of the council; coordination of council activities with other policy analysis and development activities carried on within the state; and coordination in delivery of state-level council services with department of education staff providing technical assistance to the council under subsection 2.

2. The department of education shall contract with a nonprofit organization to provide technical assistance to communities. Technical assistance shall be structured to provide direct services to Iowa communities which are establishing community planning teams and to assist in the development of collaborative drug use prevention, dropout prevention, and youth development efforts.

Technical assistance to community planning teams shall include, but is not limited to, providing professional advice on youth development, drug use prevention, and other issues; providing access to current research and information; assisting community planning teams in identifying appropriate team members; facilitating team building; assisting in the development of strategic plans relating to community youth issues; providing community development activities; providing conflict resolution; and developing educational and technical materials. Technical assistance shall also include, but is not limited to, the identification of funding and other resources to aid in the implementation of drug use prevention, dropout prevention, and youth development programs; the identification of appropriate drug use prevention, dropout prevention, and youth development program models; and coordination in the delivery of state-level council services with department of education staff providing staff support for the council.

256.44 National board certification pilot project.

1. A national board certification pilot project is established to be administered by the department of education. A teacher, as defined in section 272.1, who registers for or achieves national board for professional teaching standards certification, and who is employed by a school district in Iowa and receiving a salary as a classroom teacher, may be eligible for the following:

a. If a teacher registers for national board for professional teaching standards certification prior to June 30, 2002, a one-time initial reimbursement award in the amount of up to one-half of the registration fee paid by the teacher for registration for certification by the national board for professional teaching standards. The teacher shall apply to the department of education within one year of registration, submitting to the department any documentation the department requires. A teacher who receives an initial reimbursement award shall receive a one-time final registration award in the amount of the remaining national board registration fee paid by the teacher if the teacher notifies the department of the teacher's certification achievement and submits any documentation requested by the department.

b. (1) If, by May 1, 2000, the teacher applies to the department for an annual award and submits documentation of certification by the national board for professional teaching standards, an annual award in the amount of five thousand dollars. However, if the teacher does not achieve certification on the teacher's first attempt to pass the national board for professional teaching standards assessment, the teacher shall be paid the award amount as provided in subparagraph (2) upon achieving certification. The department shall award not more than a total of fifty thousand dollars in annual awards to an individual during the individual's term of eligibility for annual awards.

(2) If the teacher registers for national board for professional teaching standards certification between January 1, 1999, and January 1, 2002, and achieves certification within three years from the date of initial score notification, an annual award in the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars upon achieving certification by the national board of professional teaching standards.

To receive an annual award pursuant to this paragraph "b", a teacher shall apply to the department for an award within one year of eligibility. Payment for awards shall be made only upon departmental approval of an application or recertification of eligibility. A term of eligibility shall be for ten years or for the years in which the individual maintains a valid certificate, whichever time period is shorter. In order to continue receipt of payments, a recipient shall annually recertify eligibility.

2. a. If the amount appropriated annually for purposes of this section is insufficient to pay the full amount of reimbursement awards in accordance with subsection 1, paragraph "a", the department shall annually prorate the amount of the registration awards provided to each teacher who meets the requirements of this section.

b. If the amount appropriated annually for purposes of providing an annual award in accordance with subsection 1, paragraph "b", is insufficient to pay the full annual award to all teachers approved by the department for an annual award, the department shall prorate the amount of the annual award based upon the amount appropriated.

3. A teacher receiving an annual award pursuant to this section may provide additional services to the school district that employs the teacher. The additional services to be provided by the teacher may be mutually agreed upon by the school district and the teacher.

4. Awards shall be paid to teachers by the department as follows:

a. Upon receipt of reimbursement documentation as provided in subsection 1, paragraph "a".

b. Not later than June 1 to teachers whose applications and recertifications for annual awards as provided in subsection 1, paragraph "b", are submitted to the department by May 1 and subsequently approved.

5. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a teacher approved by the department to receive an annual award for certification in accordance with this section in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1998, shall receive the annual award amount specified in subsection 1, paragraph "b", subparagraph (1), to commence with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999.

6. From funds appropriated for purposes of this section by the general assembly to the department of education for each fiscal year in the fiscal period beginning July 1, 1999, and ending June 30, 2004, three hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be used for the payment of registration awards as provided in subsection 4, paragraph "a".

7. The department shall prorate the amount of the annual awards paid in accordance with this section when the number of award recipients exceeds one thousand one hundred individuals.

8. Notwithstanding section 8.33, funds appropriated for purposes of this section which remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated shall not revert but shall be available for expenditure for the following fiscal year for purposes of this section.

256.45 Ambassador to education.

The department of education shall establish and administer the position of ambassador to education. It shall be the function of the ambassador to education to act as an education liaison to primary and secondary schools in this state. The ambassador to education position shall be filled by the educator selected as teacher of the year by the governor, but only if that person agrees to fill the ambassador to education position.

The ambassador to education's duties shall be established by the director of the department and shall be tailored to the relative skills and educational background of the person designated as ambassador. Duties of the ambassador may include, but are not limited to, providing seminars and workshops in the subject matter area in which the ambassador possesses expertise, accompanying the director of the department of education in the exercise of the director's duties in the state, and speaking at public gatherings in the state.

The ambassador to education shall receive, in lieu of compensation from the district in which the ambassador is regularly employed, a salary equal to the amount of salary the person would have received from the district in the person's regular position during the school year for which the person serves as ambassador, or thirty thousand dollars, whichever amount is greater. The ambassador shall also be compensated for actual expenses incurred as a result of the performance of duties under this section.

The department shall grant funds in an amount equal to the salary and benefits the person selected as ambassador to education would have received from the district, or thirty thousand dollars, whichever amount is greater, to the school district that employs the person selected as the ambassador. The department shall also reimburse the school district for actual expenses incurred as a result of the performance of duties under this section. The school district shall grant the person a one-year sabbatical in order to allow the person to be the ambassador to education, and during the sabbatical, shall pay the salary and benefits of the ambassador with funds granted by the department. The person selected as the ambassador to education shall be entitled to return to the person's same or a comparable position without loss of accrued benefits or seniority.

256.46 Rules for participation in extracurricular activities by certain children.

The state board shall adopt rules that permit a child who does not meet the residence requirements for participation in extracurricular interscholastic contests or competitions sponsored or administered by an organization as defined in section 280.13 to participate in the contests or competitions immediately if the child is duly enrolled in a school, is otherwise eligible to participate, and meets one of the following circumstances or a similar circumstance: the child has been adopted; the child is placed under foster or shelter care; the child is living with one of the child's parents as a result of divorce, separation, death, or other change in the child's parents' marital relationship; the child is a foreign exchange student; the child has been placed in a juvenile correctional facility; the child is a ward of the court or the state; the child is a participant in a substance abuse or mental health program; or the child is enrolled in an accredited nonpublic high school because the child's district of residence has entered into a whole grade sharing agreement for the pupil's grade with another district.

256.47 through 256.49

Reserved.

256.5 Compensation and expenses.

The members of the state board shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred while engaged in their official duties. Members of the state board may also be eligible to receive compensation as provided in section 7E.6. All expense moneys paid to the members shall be paid from funds appropriated to the department.

256.50 Division of libraries and information services--definitions.

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Commission" means the commission of libraries.

2. "Division" means the division of libraries and information services of the department of education.

3. "State agency" means a legislative, executive, or judicial office of the state and all of its respective officers, departments, divisions, bureaus, boards, commissions, and committees, except the state institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents.

4. "State publications" means all multiply produced publications regardless of format, which are issued by a state agency and supported by public funds, but it does not include:

a. Correspondence and memoranda intended solely for internal use within the agency or between agencies.

b. Materials excluded from this definition by the commission through the adoption and enforcement of rules.

256.51 Division of libraries and information services--duties and responsibilities.

1. The division of libraries and information services is established within the department of education. The division shall do all of the following:

a. Determine policy for providing information service to the three branches of state government and to the legal and medical communities in this state.

b. Coordinate a statewide interregional interlibrary loan and information network among libraries in this state and support activities which increase cooperation among all types of libraries.

c. Establish and administer a program for the collection and distribution of state publications to depository libraries.

d. Develop and adopt, in conjunction with the Iowa regional library system, long-range plans for the continued improvement of library services and which will explore or broaden the information mission in the state. To insure that the concerns of all types of libraries are addressed, the division shall establish a long-range planning committee to review and evaluate progress and report findings and recommendations to the division and to the trustees of the Iowa regional library system at an annual meeting.

e. Develop in cooperation with the Iowa regional library system a biennial unified plan of service for the division of libraries and information services.

f. Establish and administer a statewide continuing education program for librarians and trustees.

g. Give to libraries advice and counsel in specialized areas which may include, but are not limited to, building construction and space utilization, children's services, and technological developments.

h. Obtain from libraries reports showing the condition, growth, and development of services provided and disseminate this information in a timely manner to the citizens of Iowa.

i. Establish and administer certification guidelines for librarians not covered by other accrediting agencies.

j. Foster public awareness of the condition of libraries in Iowa and of methods to improve library services to the citizens of the state.

k. Establish and administer standards for state agency libraries, the Iowa regional library system, and public libraries.

2. The division may do all of the following:

a. Enter into interstate library compacts on behalf of the state of Iowa with any state which legally joins in the compacts as provided in section 256.70.

b. Receive and expend money for providing programs and services. The division may receive, accept, and administer any moneys appropriated or granted to it, separate from the general library fund, by the federal government or by any other public or private agency.

c. Accept gifts, contributions, bequests, endowments, or other moneys, including but not limited to the Westgate endowment fund, for any or all purposes of the division. Interest earned on moneys accepted under this paragraph shall be credited to the fund or funds to which the gifts, contributions, bequests, endowments, or other moneys have been deposited, and is available for any or all purposes of the division. The division shall report annually to the director and the general assembly regarding the gifts, contributions, bequests, endowments, or other moneys accepted pursuant to this paragraph and the interest earned on them.

256.52 Commission of libraries established--duties of commission and state librarian--state library fund created.

1. The state commission of libraries consists of one member appointed by the supreme court, the director of the department of education, or the director's designee, and six members appointed by the governor to serve four-year terms beginning and ending as provided in section 69.19. Of the governor's appointees, one member shall be from the medical profession and five members selected at large. Not more than three of the members appointed by the governor shall be of the same gender. The members shall be reimbursed for their actual expenditures necessitated by their official duties. Members may also be eligible for compensation as provided in section 7E.6.

2. The commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson. The commission shall meet at the time and place specified by call of the chairperson. Five members are a quorum for the transaction of business.

3. The commission shall appoint the state librarian who shall administer the division, and serve at the pleasure of the commission.

The state librarian shall do all of the following:

a. Direct and organize the activities of the division.

b. Submit a biennial report to the governor on the activities and an evaluation of the division and its programs and policies.

c. Control all property of the division. The state librarian may dispose of, through sale, conveyance, or exchange, any library materials that may be obsolete or worn out or that may no longer be needed or appropriate to the mission of the state library of Iowa. These materials may be sold by the state library directly or the library may sell the materials by consignment with an outside entity. A state library fund is created in the state treasury. Proceeds from the sale of the library materials shall be remitted to the treasurer of state and credited to the state library fund and shall be used for the purchase of books and other library materials. Notwithstanding section 8.33, any balance in the fund on June 30 of any fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund of the state.

d. Appoint and approve the technical, professional, excepting the medical librarian and the law librarian, secretarial, and clerical staff necessary to accomplish the purposes of the division subject to chapter 19A.

e. Perform other duties imposed by law.

4. The commission shall adopt rules under chapter 17A for carrying out the responsibilities of the division.

5. The commission shall receive and approve the budget and unified plan of service submitted by the division of libraries and information services.

256.53 State publications.

Upon issuance of a state publication in any format, a state agency shall deposit with the division at no cost to the division, seventy-five copies of the publication or a lesser number if specified by the division.

256.54 State library--medical and law libraries.

The state library includes, but is not limited to, a medical library, a law library, and the state data center.

1. The medical library shall be administered by a medical librarian, appointed by the director subject to chapter 19A, who shall do all of the following:

a. Operate the medical library which shall always be available for free use by the residents of Iowa under rules the commission adopts.

b. Give no preference to any school of medicine and shall secure books, periodicals, and pamphlets for every legally recognized school of medicine without discrimination.

c. Perform other duties imposed by law or prescribed by the rules of the commission.

2. The law library shall be administered by a law librarian appointed by the director subject to chapter 19A, who shall do all of the following:

a. Operate the law library which shall be maintained in the state capitol or in rooms convenient to the state supreme court and which shall be available for free use by the residents of Iowa under rules the commission adopts.

b. Maintain, as an integral part of the law library, reports of various boards and agencies, copies of bills, journals, other information relating to current or proposed legislation, and copies of the Iowa administrative bulletin and Iowa administrative code and any publications incorporated by reference in the bulletin or code.

c. Arrange to make exchanges of all printed material published by the states and the government of the United States.

d. Perform other duties imposed by law or by the rules of the commission.

256.55 State data center.

A state data center is established in the department of education. The state data center shall be administered by the state data center coordinator, who shall do all of the following:

1. Manage the state data center program to make United States census data available to the residents of Iowa under rules the commission adopts.

2. Act as the state's liaison with the United States census bureau in matters relating to United States decennial, economic, and agricultural census data, and population estimates and projections.

3. Perform other duties imposed by law or prescribed by the commission.

256.56 Electronic access to documents.

The state library shall work to develop a system of electronic access to documents maintained by the state library with a goal of providing electronic access to all such documents. The access shall be provided initially through the use of compact disc technology. This section shall not prohibit the state librarian from considering other forms of electronic access if the use of such other access is shown to exceed the benefits of, and is more cost-effective than, the use of compact disc technology.

256.57 through 256.59

Reserved.

256.6 Regular and special meetings.

The state board shall meet in May of each year for purposes of organization and shall hold at least five additional regular meetings during the twelve-month period ending April 30. Special meetings of the state board may be called by the president or by any five members of the board on five days' notice given to each member.

256.60 Regional library system established--purposes.

A regional library system is established to provide supporting services to libraries and to encourage local financial support for library services.

256.61 Regional library trustees.

The regional library system shall consist of seven regional boards of library trustees which shall serve respectively the seven geographic regions specified in this section. Each region shall be divided into geographic districts, which shall be drawn along county lines and which shall be represented on regional boards by trustees elected to the boards in the following numbers and from the following districts:

1. To the southwestern board, two from Pottawattamie county and one from each of the following five districts:

a. Harrison, Shelby and Audubon counties.

b. Guthrie, Cass and Adair counties.

c. Mills, Fremont and Page counties.

d. Montgomery, Adams, Union and Taylor counties.

e. Clarke, Lucas, Ringgold, Decatur and Wayne counties.

2. To the northwestern board, two from Woodbury county and one from each of the following five districts:

a. Lyon, Sioux and Osceola counties.

b. Dickinson, Emmet, Clay and Palo Alto counties.

c. O'Brien, Plymouth and Cherokee counties.

d. Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Ida, Sac and Calhoun counties.

e. Monona, Crawford and Carroll counties.

3. To the north central board, two from a district composed of Hancock, Cerro Gordo and Franklin counties; two from a district composed of Humboldt, Wright and Webster counties; and one from each of the following three districts:

a. Kossuth and Winnebago counties.

b. Hamilton and Hardin counties.

c. Worth, Mitchell and Floyd counties.

4. To the central board, four from a district composed of Polk and Marion counties, and one from each of the following three districts:

a. Greene, Dallas, Madison and Warren counties.

b. Boone and Story counties.

c. Marshall and Jasper counties.

5. To the southeastern board, two from Scott county and one from each of the following five districts:

a. Appanoose, Davis and Wapello counties.

b. Jefferson, Van Buren and Lee counties.

c. Monroe, Mahaska and Keokuk counties.

d. Henry and Des Moines counties.

e. Muscatine, Louisa and Washington counties.

6. To the east central board, three from a district composed of Linn and Jones counties; two from a district composed of Iowa, Johnson and Cedar counties; and one from each of the following two districts:

a. Tama, Benton and Poweshiek counties.

b. Jackson and Clinton counties.

7. To the northeastern board, two from Black Hawk county; two from a district composed of Delaware and Dubuque counties; and one from each of the following three districts:

a. Grundy, Butler and Bremer counties.

b. Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee and Chickasaw counties.

c. Buchanan, Fayette and Clayton counties.

256.62 Regional library trustees--nonvoting members.

In addition to the members of the seven regional boards of library trustees provided in section 256.61, the director of education shall appoint to each of the seven regional boards of library trustees the following nonvoting members:

1. A representative from an area education agency.

2. A representative who serves as a member on the board of directors for a community college.

The nonvoting members shall serve at the pleasure of the director. The appointed members shall cease to be members if they no longer are employed by an area education agency or no longer serve as a member on a community college board of directors. Sections 256.63 and 256.64 do not apply to the appointed nonvoting members of the regional boards of library trustees.

256.63 Election.

A trustee of a regional board shall be elected without regard to political affiliation at the general election by the vote of the electors of the trustee's district from a list of nominees, the names of which have been taken from nomination papers filed in accordance with chapter 45 in all respects except that they shall be signed by not less than twenty-five eligible electors of the respective district. The election shall be administered by the commissioner who has jurisdiction under section 47.2.

The votes cast in the election shall be canvassed and abstracts of the votes cast shall be promptly certified by the commissioner to the commissioner of elections who is responsible under section 47.2 for conducting elections for that regional library board district. In each county whose commissioner of elections is responsible under section 47.2 for conducting elections held for a regional library board district, the county board of supervisors shall convene at nine a.m. on the third Monday in November, canvass the abstracts of votes cast and declare the results of the voting. The commissioner shall at once issue certificates of election to each person declared elected.

256.64 Terms.

Regional library trustees shall take office on the first day of January following the general election and shall serve terms of four years. A vacancy shall be filled when it occurs not less than ninety days before the next general election by appointment by the regional board for the unexpired term. No trustee shall serve on a local library board or be employed by a library during the trustee's term of office as a regional library trustee.

256.65 Compensation.

Regional trustees shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred by them in the discharge of their duties, but shall receive no compensation for services.

256.66 Powers and duties of regional trustees.

In carrying out the purposes of section 256.60, each board of trustees:

1. Shall appoint and evaluate a qualified administrator who shall have a master's degree in librarianship from a program of study accredited by the American library association and who may be terminated for good cause.

2. Subject to the approval of the annual plan of service by the director of the department of education, may receive and expend state appropriated funds.

3. May receive and expend other funds and receive and expend gifts of real property, personal property or mixed property, and devises and bequests including trust funds; may take title to the property; may execute deeds and bills of sale for the conveyance of the property; and may expend the funds received from the gifts.

4. May accept and administer trusts and may authorize nonprofit foundations acting solely for the support of the regional library to accept and administer trusts deemed by the board to be beneficial to the operation of the regional library. Notwithstanding section 633.63, the board and the nonprofit foundation may act as trustees in these instances. The board shall require that moneys belonging to a nonprofit foundation be audited annually.

5. May contract with libraries, library agencies, private corporations or individuals to improve library service.

6. May acquire land and construct or lease facilities to carry out the provisions of sections 256.60 through 256.69.

7. Shall provide consultation and educational programs for library staff and trustees concerning all facets of library management and operation.

8. Shall provide interlibrary loan and information services intraregionally, but which are capable of being linked interregionally, according to the standards developed by the commission of libraries.

9. Shall develop and adopt, in cooperation with other members of the regional library system and the director of the department of education, a long-range plan for the region.

10. Shall prepare, in cooperation with all members of the regional library system and the director of the department of education, an annual plan of service.

11. Shall provide data and prepare reports as directed by the director of the department of education.

12. Shall encourage governmental subdivisions to maintain local financial support for the operating expenses of local libraries.

13. May perform other acts necessary to carry out its powers and duties under sections 256.60 through 256.69.

256.67 Duties of the regional administrator.

A regional administrator shall:

1. Act as administrator and executive secretary of the region in accordance with the objectives and policies adopted by the regional board and with the intent of this chapter.

2. Organize, staff, and administer the regional library so as to render the greatest benefit to libraries and information services in the area.

3. Advise and counsel with the regional board of trustees and individual libraries in all matters pertaining to the improvement of library services in the region.

4. Cooperate with other members of the regional library system, the state library of Iowa and representatives of the Iowa library community in considering and developing plans for the improvement of library services in Iowa.

5. Carry out the policies of the regional board of trustees not inconsistent with state law.

256.67A Insurance eligibility.

Personnel employed by a regional library shall be considered state employees for purposes of eligibility for receiving employee health and dental insurance as provided to state employees by the department of personnel. If a regional library elects to participate in a state employee health and dental insurance program, the regional library shall continue to pay the costs of employee participation in a program from funds appropriated for purposes of the regional libraries by the general assembly.

256.68 Allocation and administration of funds.

1. Funds appropriated for the purpose of carrying out sections 256.60 through 256.69 shall be allocated to regional boards by the commission of libraries as follows:

a. Sixty percent in proportion to the population served by each regional board.

b. Twenty-five percent proportioned equally among the regional boards.

c. Fifteen percent in proportion to the geographic area served by each regional board.

2. In addition to funds received under subsection 1, a regional library board may individually or cooperatively apply to the commission of libraries for available grants.

256.69 Local financial support.

Commencing July 1, 1977, each city within its corporate boundaries and each county within the unincorporated area of the county shall levy a tax of at least six and three-fourths cents per thousand dollars of assessed value on the taxable property or at least the monetary equivalent thereof when all or a portion of the funds are obtained from a source other than taxation, for the purpose of providing financial support to the public library which provides library services within the respective jurisdictions.

256.7 Duties of state board.

Except for the college student aid commission and the public broadcasting board and division, the state board shall:

1. Adopt and establish policy for programs and services of the department pursuant to law.

2. Constitute the state board for vocational education under chapter 258.

3. Prescribe standards and procedures for the approval of practitioner preparation programs and professional development programs, offered by practitioner preparation institutions and area education agencies, in this state. Procedures provided for approval of programs shall include procedures for enforcement of the prescribed standards and shall not include a procedure for the waiving of any of the standards prescribed.

4. Adopt, and update annually, a five-year plan for the achievement of educational goals in Iowa.

5. Adopt rules under chapter 17A for carrying out the responsibilities of the department.

6. Hear appeals of persons aggrieved by decisions of boards of directors of school corporations under chapter 290 and other appeals prescribed by law. The state board may review the record and shall review the decision of the director of the department of education or the administrative law judge designated for any appeals heard and decided by the director under chapter 290, and may affirm, modify, or vacate the decision, or may direct a rehearing before the director.

7. Adopt rules under chapter 17A for the use of telecommunications as an instructional tool for students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve and served by local school districts, accredited or approved nonpublic schools, area education agencies, community colleges, institutions of higher education under the state board of regents, and independent colleges and universities in elementary and secondary school classes and courses. The rules shall include but need not be limited to rules relating to programs, educational policy, instructional practices, staff development, use of pilot projects, curriculum monitoring, and the accessibility of licensed teachers.

When curriculum is provided by means of telecommunications, it shall be taught by an appropriately licensed teacher. The teacher shall either be present in the classroom, or be present at the location at which the curriculum delivered by means of telecommunications originates.

The rules shall provide that when the curriculum is taught by an appropriately licensed teacher at the location at which the telecommunications originates, the curriculum received shall be under the supervision of a licensed teacher. For the purposes of this subsection, "supervision" means that the curriculum is monitored by a licensed teacher and the teacher is accessible to the students receiving the curriculum by means of telecommunications.

The state board shall establish an advisory committee to make recommendations for rules required under this subsection on the use of telecommunications as an instructional tool. The committee shall be composed of representatives from community colleges, area education agencies, accredited or approved nonpublic schools, and local school districts from various enrollment categories. The representatives shall include board members, school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and associations interested in education.

For the purpose of the rules adopted by the state board, telecommunications means narrowcast communications through systems that are directed toward a narrowly defined audience and includes interactive live communications.

8. Rules adopted under this section shall provide that telecommunications shall not be used by school districts as the exclusive means to provide any course which is required by the minimum educational standards for accreditation.

9. Develop evaluation procedures that will measure the effects of instruction by means of telecommunications on student achievement, socialization, intellectual growth, motivation, and other related factors deemed relevant by the state board, for the development of an educational data base. The state board shall consult with the state board of regents and the practitioner preparation departments at its institutions, other practitioner preparation departments located within private colleges and universities, educational research agencies or facilities, and other agencies deemed appropriate by the state board, in developing these procedures.

10. Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A relating to educational programs and budget limitations for educational programs pursuant to sections 282.28, 282.29, 282.30, and 282.31.

11. Prescribe guidelines for facility standards, maximum class sizes, and maximum in classroom pupil-teacher and teacher-aide ratios for grades kindergarten through three and before and after school and summer child care programs provided under the direction of the school district. The department also shall indicate modifications to such guidelines necessary to address the needs of at-risk children.

12. Elect to a two-year term, from its members in each even-numbered year, a president of the state board, who shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified.

13. Adopt rules and a procedure for accrediting all apprenticeship programs in the state which receive state or federal funding. In developing the rules, the state board shall consult with schools and labor or trade organizations affected by or currently operating apprenticeship or training programs. Rules adopted shall be the same or similar to criteria established for the operation of apprenticeship programs at community colleges.

14. Adopt rules which require each community college which establishes a new jobs training project or projects and receives funds derived from or associated with the project or projects to establish a separate account to act as a repository for any funds received and to report annually, by January 15, to the general assembly on funds received and disbursed during the preceding fiscal year in the form required by the department.

15. If funds are appropriated by the general assembly for the program, adopt rules for the administration of the teacher exchange program, including, but not limited to, rules for application to participate in the program, rules relating to the number of times that a given applicant may participate in the program, and rules describing reimbursable expenses and establishing honoraria for teacher participants.

16. Adopt rules that set standards for approval of family support preservice and in-service training programs, offered by area education agencies and practitioner preparation institutions, and family support programs offered by or through local school districts.

17. Receive and review the budget and unified plan of service submitted by the division of libraries and information services.

18. Adopt rules that include children who retain some sight but who have a medically diagnosed expectation of visual deterioration within the definition of children requiring special education pursuant to section 256B.2, subsection 1. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection shall provide for or include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. A presumption that proficiency in braille reading and writing is essential for satisfactory educational progress for a visually impaired student who is not able to communicate in print with the same level of proficiency as a student of otherwise comparable ability at the same grade level. This presumption includes a student as defined in paragraph "b". A student for whom braille services are appropriate, as defined in this subsection, is entitled to instruction in braille reading and writing that is sufficient to enable the pupil to communicate with the same level of proficiency as a pupil of otherwise comparable ability at the same grade level.

b. A pupil who retains some sight but who has a medically diagnosed expectation of visual deterioration in adolescence or early adulthood may qualify for instruction in braille reading and writing.

c. Instruction in braille reading and writing may be used in combination with other special education services appropriate to a pupil's educational needs.

d. The annual review of a pupil's individual education plan shall include discussion of instruction in braille reading and writing and a written explanation of the reasons why the pupil is using a given reading and writing medium or media. If the reasons have not changed since the previous year, the written explanation for the current year may refer to the fuller explanation from the previous year.

e. A pupil as defined in paragraph "b" whose primary learning medium is expected to change may begin instruction in the new medium before it is the only medium the pupil can effectively use.

f. A pupil who receives instruction in braille reading and writing pursuant to this subsection shall be taught by a teacher licensed to teach students with visual impairments.

19. Define the minimum school day as a day consisting of five and one-half hours of instructional time for grades one through twelve. The minimum hours shall be exclusive of the lunch period, but may include passing time between classes. Time spent on parent-teacher conferences shall be considered instructional time. A school or school district may record a day of school with less than the minimum instructional hours as a minimum school day if any of the following apply:

a. If emergency health or safety factors require the late arrival or early dismissal of students on a specific day.

b. If the total hours of instructional school time for grades one through twelve for any five consecutive school days equal a minimum of twenty-seven and one-half hours, even though any one day of school is less than the minimum instructional hours because of a staff development opportunity provided for the professional instructional staff or because parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day. Furthermore, if the total hours of instructional time for the first four consecutive days equal at least twenty-seven and one-half hours because parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day, a school or school district may record zero hours of instructional time on the fifth consecutive school day as a minimum school day.

20. Adopt rules that require the board of directors of a school district to waive school fees for indigent families.

21. Develop and adopt rules by July 1, 1999, incorporating accountability for student achievement into the standards and accreditation process described in section 256.11. The rules shall provide for all of the following:

a. Requirements that all school districts and accredited nonpublic schools develop, implement, and file with the department a comprehensive school improvement plan that includes, but is not limited to, demonstrated school, parental, and community involvement in assessing educational needs, establishing local education standards and student achievement levels, and, as applicable, the consolidation of federal and state planning, goal-setting, and reporting requirements.

b. A set of core academic indicators in mathematics and reading in grades four, eight, and eleven, a set of core academic indicators in science in grades eight and eleven, and another set of core indicators that includes, but is not limited to, graduation rate, postsecondary education, and successful employment in Iowa. Annually, the department shall report state data for each indicator in the condition of education report.

c. A requirement that all school districts and accredited nonpublic schools annually report to the department and the local community the district-wide progress made in attaining student achievement goals on the academic and other core indicators and the district-wide progress made in attaining locally established student learning goals. The school districts and accredited nonpublic schools shall demonstrate the use of multiple assessment measures in determining student achievement levels. The school districts and accredited nonpublic schools may report on other locally determined factors influencing student achievement. The school districts and accredited nonpublic schools shall also report to the local community their results by individual attendance center.

256.70 Library compact authorized.

The division of libraries and information services of the department of education is hereby authorized to enter into interstate library compacts on behalf of the state of Iowa with any state bordering on Iowa which legally joins therein in substantially the following form.

The contracting states agree that:

ARTICLE I--PURPOSE

Because the desire for the services provided by public libraries transcends governmental boundaries and can be provided most effectively by giving such services to communities of people regardless of jurisdictional lines, it is the policy of the states who are parties to this compact to cooperate and share their responsibilities in providing joint and cooperative library services in areas where the distribution of population makes the provision of library service on an interstate basis the most effective way to provide adequate and efficient services.

ARTICLE II--PROCEDURE

The appropriate state library officials and agencies having comparable powers with those of the Iowa commission of libraries of the party states or any of their political subdivisions may, on behalf of said states or political subdivisions, enter into agreements for the cooperative or joint conduct of library services when they shall find that the execution of agreements to that end as provided herein will facilitate library services.

ARTICLE III--CONTENT

Any such agreement for the cooperative or joint establishment, operation or use of library services, facilities, personnel, equipment, materials or other items not excluded because of failure to enumerate shall, as among the parties of the agreement:

1. Detail the specific nature of the services, facilities, properties or personnel to which it is applicable;

2. Provide for the allocation of costs and other financial responsibilities;

3. Specify the respective rights, duties, obligations and liabilities;

4. Stipulate the terms and conditions for duration, renewal, termination, abrogation, disposal of joint or common property, if any, and all other matters which may be appropriate to the proper effectuation and performance of said agreement.

ARTICLE IV--CONFLICT OF LAWS

Nothing in this compact or in any agreement entered into hereunder shall alter, or otherwise impair any obligation imposed on any public library by otherwise applicable laws, or be constituted to supersede.

ARTICLE V--ADMINISTRATOR

Each state shall designate a compact administrator with whom copies of all agreements to which the state or any subdivision thereof is party shall be filed. The administrator shall have such powers as may be conferred by the laws of the administrator's state and may consult and cooperate with the compact administrators of other party states and take such steps as may effectuate the purposes of this compact.

ARTICLE VI--EFFECTIVE DATE

This compact shall become operative when entered in by two or more entities having the powers enumerated herein.

ARTICLE VII--RENUNCIATION

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each party state until six months after any such state has given notice of repeal by the legislature. Such withdrawal shall not be construed to relieve any party to an agreement authorized by articles II and III of the compact from the obligation of that agreement prior to the end of its stipulated period of duration.

ARTICLE VIII--SEVERABILITY--CONSTRUCTION

The provisions of this compact shall be severable. It is intended that the provisions of this compact be reasonably and liberally construed.

256.71 Administrator.

The administrator of the division of libraries and information services shall be the compact administrator. The compact administrator shall receive copies of all agreements entered into by the state or its political subdivisions and other states or political subdivisions; consult with, advise and aid such governmental units in the formulation of such agreements; make such recommendations to the governor, legislature, governmental agencies and units as the administrator deems desirable to effectuate the purposes of this compact and consult and co-operate with the compact administrators of other party states.

256.72 Agreements.

The compact administrator and the chief executive of a county, city, or library board may enter into agreements with other states or their political subdivisions pursuant to the compact. The agreements made pursuant to this compact on behalf of the state of Iowa shall be made by the compact administrator. The agreements made on behalf of a political subdivision shall be made after due notice to and consultation with the compact administrator.

256.73 Enforcement.

The agencies and officers of this state and its subdivisions shall enforce this compact and do all things appropriate to effect its purpose and intent which may be within their respective jurisdiction.

256.74 through 256.79

Reserved.

256.8 Director of department of education.

The governor shall appoint a director of the department of education subject to confirmation by the senate. The director shall possess a background in education and administrative experience and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

256.80 Definitions.

As used in this subchapter unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Administrator" means the administrator of the public broadcasting division of the department of education.

2. "Board" means the Iowa public broadcasting board.

3. "Broadcast" means communications through a system that is receivable by the general public with programming designed for a large group of users.

4. "Narrowcast" means communications through systems that are directed toward a narrowly defined audience.

5. "Radio and television facility" means transmitters, towers, studios, and all necessary associated equipment for broadcasting, including closed circuit television.

256.81 Public broadcasting division created--administrator--duties.

1. The public broadcasting division of the department of education is created. The chief administrative officer of the division is the administrator who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Iowa public broadcasting board. The governor shall set the division administrator's salary unless otherwise provided by law. Educational programming shall be the highest priority of the division. The director of the department of education and the state board of education are not liable for the activities of the division of public broadcasting.

2. The administrator shall do all of the following:

a. Direct and organize the activities of the division.

b. Submit a biennial report to the governor on the activities and an evaluation of the division and its programs and policies.

c. Control all property of the division.

d. Perform other duties imposed by law.

256.82 Board--advisory committees.

1. The Iowa public broadcasting board is created to plan, establish, and operate educational radio and television facilities and other telecommunications services including narrowcast and broadcast systems to serve the educational needs of the state. The board shall be composed of nine members selected in the following manner:

a. Four members shall be appointed by the governor so that the portion of the board membership appointed under this paragraph includes two male board members and two female board members at all times:

(1) One member shall be appointed from the business community other than the commercial broadcasting industry and the telecommunications industry.

(2) One member shall be appointed from the commercial broadcast industry.

(3) One member shall be appointed from the membership of a fund-raising nonprofit organization financially assisting the Iowa public broadcasting division.

(4) One member shall represent the general public.

b. Five members shall be selected in the manner provided in this paragraph and the gender balance of the membership shall be coordinated among the associations and boards making the appointments so that not more than three members serving under this paragraph at the same time are of the same gender.

(1) One member shall be appointed by the state association of private colleges and universities.

(2) One member shall be appointed jointly by the superintendents of the community colleges created by chapter 260C.

(3) One member shall be appointed jointly by the administrators of the area education agencies created by chapter 273.

(4) One member who is knowledgeable about telecommunications shall be appointed by the state board of regents.

(5) One member shall be appointed by the state board of education.

2. Board members shall serve a three-year term commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the term.

Membership on the board does not constitute holding a public office and members shall not be required to take and file oaths of office before serving. A member shall not be disqualified from holding any public office or employment by reason of appointment to the board nor shall a member forfeit an office or employment by reason of appointment to the board.

3. The board shall appoint an advisory committee on journalistic and editorial integrity which has no more than a simple majority of members of the same gender. The division shall be governed by the national principles of editorial integrity developed by the editorial integrity project.

Duties of the advisory committee, and of additional advisory committees the board may from time to time appoint, shall be specified in rules of internal management adopted by the board.

Members of advisory committees shall receive actual expenses incurred in performing their official duties.

256.83 Meetings.

1. The board shall elect from among its members a president and a vice president to serve a one-year term. The board shall meet at least four times annually and shall hold special meetings at the call of the president or in the absence of the president by the vice president or by the president upon written request of four members. The board shall establish procedures and requirements relating to quorum, place, and conduct of meetings.

2. Board members shall receive actual expenses incurred in performing their official duties.

256.84 Powers--facilities--rules.

1. The board may purchase, lease, and improve property, equipment, and services for educational telecommunications including the broadcast and narrowcast systems, and may dispose of property and equipment when not necessary for its purposes. The board and division administrator may arrange for joint use of available services and facilities.

2. The board shall apply for channels, frequencies, licenses, and permits as necessary for the performance of the board's duties.

3. This section does not prohibit institutions under the state board of regents and community colleges under the department of education from owning, operating, improving, maintaining, and restructuring educational radio and television stations and transmitters now in existence or other educational narrowcast telecommunications systems and services. The institutions and schools may enter into agreements with the board for the lease or purchase of equipment and facilities.

4. The board may locate its administrative offices and production facilities outside the city of Des Moines.

5. The board shall adopt and update a design plan for educational telecommunications systems and services in this state. The design plan shall be updated at least every two years. Copies of the design plan and updated design plan shall be made available to the governor and members of the general assembly upon request. The plan shall include a list of public utilities and private telecommunications companies being utilized by the educational telecommunications system; the cost of the system; the fees or charges established for the system; and information on areas where construction is required because facilities are not available from private telecommunications companies.

6. The board shall establish guidelines for and may impose and collect fees and charges for services. Fees and charges collected by the board for services shall be deposited to the credit of the division. Any interest earned on these receipts, and revenues generated under subsection 7, shall be retained and may be expended by the division subject to the approval of the board.

7. The board may make and execute agreements, contracts, and other instruments with any public or private entity and may retain revenues generated from these contracts. State departments and agencies, other public agencies, and governmental subdivisions and private entities including but not limited to institutions of higher education and nonpublic schools may enter into contracts and otherwise cooperate with the board.

8. The board may contract with engineers, attorneys, accountants, financial experts, and other advisors upon the recommendation of the administrator. The board may enter into contracts or agreements for such services with local, state, or federal governmental agencies.

9. The board may adopt rules to implement and administer the programs of the division.

10. The decision of the board is final agency action under chapter 17A.

256.85 Purchase of energy efficiency packages.

The public broadcasting division of the department of education may use the state of Iowa facilities improvement corporation to purchase energy efficiency packages for its ultrahigh frequency transmitters.

256.86 Competition with private sector.

It is the intent of the general assembly that the division shall not compete with the private sector by actively seeking revenue from its operations. It is not the intent of the general assembly to prohibit the receipt of charitable contributions as defined by section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. The board, the governor, or the administrator may apply for and accept federal or nonfederal gifts, loans, or grants of funds and may use the funds for projects under this chapter.

256.87 Costs and fees--capital equipment replacement revolving fund.

1. The board may provide noncommercial production or reproduction services for other public agencies, nonprofit corporations or associations organized under state law, or other nonprofit organizations, and may collect the costs of providing the services from the public agency, corporation, association, or organization, plus a separate equipment usage fee in an amount determined by the board and based upon the equipment used. The costs shall be deposited to the credit of the board. The separate equipment usage fee shall be deposited in the capital equipment replacement revolving fund.

2. The board may establish a capital equipment replacement revolving fund into which shall be deposited equipment usage fees collected under subsection 1 and funds from other sources designated for deposit in the capital equipment replacement revolving fund. The board may expend moneys from the capital equipment replacement revolving fund to purchase technical equipment for operating the educational radio and television facility.

256.88 Trusts.

Notwithstanding section 633.63, the board may accept and administer trusts and may authorize nonprofit foundations acting solely for the support of educational telecommunications including the broadcast and narrowcast systems to accept and administer trusts deemed by the board to be beneficial to the operation of the educational radio and television facility. The board and the foundations may act as trustees in such instances.

256.89 State plan.

The board shall cause to be developed and adopt a state educational telecommunications design plan. Any agency of the state and any political subdivision of the state shall submit plans for the development of educational telecommunications systems to the board to be coordinated with the state educational telecommunications design plan adopted by the board. Private institutions and entities may submit educational telecommunications proposals for coordination.

256.9 Duties of director.

Except for the college student aid commission and the public broadcasting board and division, the director shall:

1. Carry out programs and policies as determined by the state board.

2. Recommend to the state board rules necessary to implement programs and services of the department.

3. Establish divisions of the department as necessary or desirable in addition to divisions required by law. The organization of the department shall promote coordination of functions and services relating to administration, supervision, and improvement of instruction.

4. Employ personnel and assign duties and responsibilities of the department. The director shall appoint a deputy director and division administrators deemed necessary. They shall be appointed on the basis of their professional qualifications, experience in administration, and background. Members of the professional staff are not subject to the merit system provisions of chapter 19A and are subject to section 256.10.

5. Transmit to the department of management information about the distribution of state and federal funds pursuant to state law and rules of the department.

6. Develop a budget and transmit to the department of management estimates of expenditure requirements for all functions and services of the department.

7. Accept and administer federal funds apportioned to the state for educational and rehabilitation purposes and accept surplus commodities for distribution when made available by a governmental agency. The director may also accept grants and gifts on behalf of the department.

8. Cooperate with other governmental agencies and political subdivisions in the development of rules and enforcement of laws relating to education.

9. Conduct research on education matters.

10. Submit to each regular session of the general assembly recommendations relating to revisions or amendments to the school laws.

11. Approve, coordinate, and supervise the use of electronic data processing by school districts, area education agencies, and merged areas.

12. Act as the executive officer of the state board.

13. Act as custodian of a seal for the director's office and authenticate all true copies of decisions or documents.

14. Appoint advisory committees, in addition to those required by law, to advise in carrying out the programs, services, and functions of the department.

15. Provide the same educational supervision for the schools maintained by the director of human services as is provided for the public schools of the state and make recommendations to the director of human services for the improvement of the educational program in those institutions.

16. Interpret the school laws and rules relating to the school laws.

17. Hear and decide appeals arising from the school laws not otherwise specifically granted to the state board.

18. Prepare forms and procedures as necessary to be used by area education agency boards, district boards, school officials, principals, teachers, and other employees, and to insure uniformity, accuracy, and efficiency in keeping records in both pupil and cost accounting, the execution of contracts, and the submission of reports, and notify the area education agency board, district board, or school authorities when a report has not been filed in the manner or on the dates prescribed by law or by rule that the school will not be accredited until the report has been properly filed.

19. Determine by inspection, supervision, or otherwise, the condition, needs, and progress of the schools under the supervision of the department, make recommendations to the proper authorities for the correction of deficiencies and the educational and physical improvement of the schools, and request a state audit of the accounts of a school district, area education agency, school official, or school employee handling school funds when it is apparent that an audit should be made.

20. Preserve reports, documents, and correspondence that may be of a permanent value, which shall be open for inspection under reasonable conditions.

21. Keep a record of the business transacted by the director.

22. Endeavor to promote among the people of the state an interest in education.

23. Classify and define the various schools under the supervision of the department, formulate suitable courses of study, and publish and distribute the classifications and courses of study and promote their use.

24. Report biennially to the governor, at the time provided by law, the condition of the schools under the department's supervision, including the number of school districts, the number and value of schoolhouses, the enrollment and attendance in each district for the previous year, any measures proposed for the improvement of the public schools, financial and statistical information of public importance, and general information relating to educational affairs and conditions within the state or elsewhere. The report shall also review the programs and services of the department.

25. Direct area education agency administrators to arrange for professional teachers' meetings, demonstration teaching, or other field work for the improvement of instruction as best fits the needs of the public schools in each area.

26. Cause to be printed in book form, during the months of June and July in the year 1987 and every four years thereafter, if deemed necessary, all school laws then in force with forms, rulings, decisions, notes, and suggestions which may aid school officers in the proper discharge of their duties. A sufficient number shall be furnished to school officers, directors, superintendents, area administrators, members of the general assembly, and others as reasonably requested.

27. Direct that any amendments or changes in the school laws, with necessary notes and suggestions, be distributed as prescribed in subsection 26 annually.

28. Prepare and submit to each regular session of the general assembly a report containing the recommendations of the state board as to revisions, amendments, and new provisions of school laws.

29. Reserved.

30. Approve the salaries of area education agency administrators.

31. Develop criteria and procedures to assist in the identification of at-risk children and their developmental needs.

32. Develop, in conjunction with the child development coordinating council or other similar agency, child-to-staff ratio recommendations and standards for at-risk programs based on national literature and test results and Iowa longitudinal test results.

33. Develop programs in conjunction with the center for early development education to be made available to the school districts to assist them in identification of at-risk children and their developmental needs.

34. Conduct or direct the area education agency to conduct feasibility surveys and studies, if requested under section 282.11, of the school districts within the area education agency service areas and all adjacent territory, including but not limited to contiguous districts in other states, for the purpose of evaluating and recommending proposed whole grade sharing agreements requested under section 282.7 and section 282.10, subsections 1 and 4. The surveys and studies shall be revised periodically to reflect reorganizations which may have taken place in the area education agency, adjacent territory, and contiguous districts in other states. The surveys and studies shall include a cover page containing recommendations and a short explanation of the recommendations. The factors to be used in determining the recommendations include, but are not limited to:

a. The possibility of long-term survival of the proposed alliance.

b. The adequacy of the proposed educational programs versus the educational opportunities offered through a different alliance.

c. The financial strength of the new alliance.

d. Geographical factors.

e. The impact of the alliance on surrounding schools.

Copies of the completed surveys and studies shall be transmitted to the affected districts' school boards.

35. Develop standards and instructional materials to do all of the following:

a. Assist school districts in developing appropriate before and after school programs for elementary school children.

b. Assist school districts in the development of child care services and programs to complement half-day and all-day kindergarten programs.

c. Assist school districts in the development of appropriate curricula for all-day, everyday kindergarten programs.

d. Assist school districts in the development of appropriate curricula for the early elementary grades one through three.

e. Assist prekindergarten instructors in the development of appropriate curricula and teaching practices.

Standards and materials developed shall include materials which employ developmentally appropriate practices and incorporate substantial parental involvement. The materials and standards shall include alternative teaching approaches including collaborative teaching and alternative dispute resolution training. The department shall consult with the child development coordinating council, the state child care advisory council, the department of human services, the state board of regents center for early developmental education, the area education agencies, the department of child development in the college of family and consumer sciences at Iowa state university of science and technology, the early childhood elementary division of the college of education at the university of Iowa, and the college of education at the university of northern Iowa, in developing these standards and materials.

For purposes of this section "substantial parental involvement" means the physical presence of parents in the classroom, learning experiences designed to enhance the skills of parents in parenting and in providing for their children's learning and development, or educational materials which may be borrowed for home use.

36. Develop, or direct the area education agencies to develop, a statewide technical assistance support network to provide school districts or district subcontractors under section 279.49 with assistance in creating developmentally appropriate programs under section 279.49.

37. Administer and approve grants to school districts which provide innovative in-school programming for at-risk children in grades kindergarten through three, in addition to regular school curricula for children participating in the program, with the funds for the grants being appropriated for at-risk children by the general assembly. Grants approved shall be for programs in schools with a high percentage of at-risk children. Preference shall be given to programs which integrate at-risk children with the rest of the school population, which agree to limit class size and pupil-teacher ratios, which include parental involvement, which demonstrate community support, which cooperate with other community agencies, which provide appropriate guidance counseling services, and which use teachers with an early childhood endorsement. Grant programs shall contain an evaluation component that measures student outcomes.

38. Develop a model written publications code including reasonable provisions for the regulation of the time, place, and manner of student expression.

39. Provide educational resources and technical assistance to schools relating to the implementation of the nutritional guidelines for food and beverages sold on public school grounds or on the grounds of nonpublic schools receiving funds under section 283A.10.

40. Develop an application and review process for the identification of quality instructional centers at the community colleges. The process developed shall include but is not limited to the development of criteria for the identification of a quality instructional center as well as for the enhancement of other program offerings in order to upgrade programs to quality instructional center status. Criteria established shall be designed to increase student access to programs, establish high quality occupational and vocational education programs, and enhance interinstitutional cooperation in program offerings.

41. Explore, in conjunction with the state board of regents, the need for coordination between school districts, area education agencies, regents institutions, and community colleges for purposes of delivery of courses, use of telecommunications, transportation, and other similar issues. Coordination may include, but is not limited to, coordination of calendars, programs, schedules, or telecommunications emissions.

42. Develop an application and review process for approval of administrative and program sharing agreements between two or more community colleges or a community college and an institution of higher education under the board of regents entered into pursuant to section 260C.46.

43. Prepare a plan and a report for ensuring that all Iowa children will be able to satisfy the requirements for high school graduation. The plan and report shall include a statement of the dimensions of the dropout problem in Iowa; a survey of existing programs geared to dropout prevention; a plan for use of competency-based outcome methods and measures; proposals for alternative means for satisfying graduation requirements including alternative high school settings, supervised vocational experiences, education experiences within the correctional system, screening and assessment mechanisms for identifying students who are at risk of dropping out and the development of an individualized education plan for identified students; a requirement that schools provide information to students who drop out of school on options for pursuing education at a later date; the development of basic materials and information for schools to present to students leaving school; a requirement that students notify their school districts of residence when the student discontinues school, including the reasons for leaving school and future plans for career development; a requirement that, unless a student chooses to make the information relating to the student leaving school confidential, schools make the information available to community colleges, area education agencies, and other educational institutions upon request; recommendations for the establishment of pilot projects for the development of model alternative options education programs; a plan for implementation of any recommended courses of action to attain a zero dropout rate by the year 2000; and other requirements necessary to achieve the goals of this subsection. Alternative means for satisfying graduation requirements which relate to the development of individualized education plans for students who have dropped out of the regular school program shall include, but are not limited to, a tracking component that requires a school district to maintain periodic contact with a student, assistance to a dropout in curing any of the student's academic deficiencies, an assessment of the student's employability skills and plans to improve those skills, and treatment or counseling for a student's social needs. The department shall also prepare a cost estimate associated with implementation of proposals to attain a zero dropout rate, including but not limited to evaluation of existing funding sources and a recommended allocation of the financial burden among federal, state, local, and family resources.

44. If funds are appropriated by the general assembly for the program, administer the teacher exchange program, develop forms for requests to participate in the program, and process requests from teacher participants for reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result of participating in the program.

45. Develop in-service and preservice training programs through the area education agencies and practitioner preparation institutions and guidelines for school districts for the establishment of family support programs. Guidelines developed shall describe barriers to learning and development which can affect children served by family support programs.

46. Cooperate with the child development coordinating council in establishing the family resource center demonstration program. Assistance may include, but is not limited to, providing or directing the area education agencies to provide technical assistance to school districts in establishing and maintaining the services specified in section 256C.3, and recommending rules for adoption by the state board relating to the development of family resource centers in school districts. Technical assistance shall include, but is not limited to, assistance to local districts in developing an appropriate financial package that will permit the districts to set up and maintain a family resource center.

47. Serve as an ex officio member of the commission of libraries.

48. Grant annual exemptions from one or more of the minimum education standards contained in section 256.11 and rules adopted by the state board of education to nonpublic schools or public school districts who are engaging in comprehensive school transformation efforts that are broadly consistent with the current standards, but require exemption from one or more standards in order to implement the comprehensive school transformation effort within the nonpublic school or school district. Nonpublic schools or public school districts wishing to be exempted from one or more of the minimum standards contained in section 256.11 and rules adopted by the state board of education shall file a request for an exemption with the department. Requests for exemption shall include all of the following:

a. A description of the nonpublic school or public school district's school transformation plan, including but not limited to new structures, methodologies, and creative approaches designed to help students achieve at higher levels.

b. Identification of the standard or standards for which the exemption is being sought, including a statement of the reasons for requesting the exemption from the standard or standards.

c. Identification of a method for periodic demonstration that student achievement will not be lessened by the granting of the exemption.

The director shall develop a procedure for application for exemption and receipt, review, and evaluation of nonpublic school and public school district requests, including but not limited to development of criteria for the granting or denying of requests for exemptions and a time line for the submission, review, and granting or denying of requests for exemption from one or more standards.

256.90 Narrowcast operations.

The board shall not use, permit use, or permit resale of its telecommunications narrowcast system for other than educational purposes. The board, in the establishment and operation of its telecommunications narrowcast system, shall use facilities and services of the private telecommunications industry companies to the greatest extent possible and is prohibited from constructing telecommunications facilities unless comparable facilities are not available from the private telecommunications industry at comparable quality and price.

Notwithstanding chapter 476, the provisions of chapter 476 shall not apply to a public utility in furnishing a telecommunications service or facility to the board.