There are 327 school districts and 1,310 K-12 schools in Iowa. During the 2020-2021 school year, there were 490,094 students enrolled in school. Approximately 42% of students are eligible for free or reduced price lunch. Iowa doesn’t have a policy that explicitly addresses school climate. However, the policies it does have address several aspects of school climate such as anti-bullying, emergency operations plan, character education, anti-discrimination, suicide prevention and parental involvement. There is a school improvement advisory committee that is in place to give recommendations to the school board on improvements that can be made.
Safety
There is currently no policy surrounding School Climate in Iowa. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center
Iowa Administrative Code 281-12.3 Administration. The policy adopted by the board regarding harassment of or by students and staff shall declare harassment and bullying in schools, on school property, and at any school function or school-sponsored activity regardless of its location to be against state and school policy
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/rule/08-29-2018.281.12.3.pdf
Iowa Code 280.28 Harassment and bullying prohibited – policy – immunity.
- Provides definitions of harassment, bullying, and electronic means
- The statement declaring that harassment and bullying go against school policy should include;
- A description of the type of behavior expected from school employees, volunteers, parents or guardians, and students relative to prevention measures, reporting, and investigation of harassment or bullying
- A procedure for reporting an act of harassment or bullying
- The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who violates the antiharassment and anti-bullying policy
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-28/
Iowa Code 708.10 Hazing. Defines hazing.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-xvi/chapter-708/section-708-10/
Who does this protect? Students
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Iowa Code 280.30 High-quality school building emergency operations plans.
The board of directors of a school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall develop a high-quality emergency operations plan for the district and individual school buildings.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-30/
Iowa Code 280.17A Procedures for handling dangerous weapons.
The board of directors of a public school and the authorities in control of a nonpublic school shall prescribe procedures requiring school officials to report to local law enforcement agencies any dangerous weapon possessed on school premises in violation of school policy or state law.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-17a/
Iowa Code 100.31 Fire and tornado drills in schools — warning systems — inspections.
It shall be the duty of the state fire marshal and the fire marshal’s designated subordinates to require all private and public school officials and teachers to conduct not less than four fire drills and not less than four tornado drills in all school buildings during each school year when school is in session.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-iii/chapter-100/section-100-31/
Iowa Code 280.30 High-quality school building emergency operations plans.
The board of directors of a school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall develop a high-quality emergency operation plan for the district and individual school buildings.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-30/
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Teaching/Learning
Iowa Code 280.4 Limited English proficiency-weighting.
When the student is limited English proficiency, both public and nonpublic schools shall provide special instruction, which shall include but need not be limited to either instruction in English as a second language or transitional bilingual instruction,
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-4/
Iowa Code 256B.1 Division of special education was created.
There is created the department of education a division of special education for the promotion, direction, and supervision of education for children requiring special education in the schools under the supervision and control of the department.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-256b/section-256b-1/
Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Interpersonal Relationships
Iowa Code 280.28 Harassment and bullying prohibited – policy – immunity.
It prohibited harassing individuals based on their traits or characteristics such as age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-28/
Iowa Code 280.6 Religious books.
Religious books such as the Bible, the Torah, and the Koran shall not be excluded from any public school or institution in the state, nor shall any child be required to read such religious books contrary to the wishes of the child’s parent or guardian.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-6/
Who does this protect? Students
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Institutional Environment
Iowa Administrative Code 281-12.8 Accountability for student achievement.
The board shall adopt a written comprehensive school improvement plan designed for continuous school, parental, and community involvement in the development and monitoring of a plan that is aligned with school or school district-determined needs.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/281.12.pdf
Iowa Administrative Code 281-66.4 Program plan.
A complete plan of parent-family involvement must be included and shall, at a minimum, contain:
- The parent communication system to be used which may include letters, checklists, personal contacts by telephone, and home visits
- In-service provisions for individual and group participation, which may include parent/family counseling, assistance at home, attendance in school affairs, parent training, and volunteer assistance
- Involvement in the development of program goals, decision-making processes, and the evaluation of program services.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search/document?fq=id%3A486845&pdid=701801
Iowa Code 256.7 Duties of the state board.
Adopt rules that set Standard 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.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-256/section-256-7/
Who does this protect? Parents
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Iowa Code 280.30 High-quality school building emergency operations plans.
The board of directors of a school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall develop a high-quality emergency operations plan for the district and individual school buildings.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-30/
Iowa Code 280.17A Procedures for handling dangerous weapons.
The board of directors of a public school and the authorities in control of a nonpublic school shall prescribe procedures requiring school officials to report to local law enforcement agencies any dangerous weapon possessed on school premises in violation of school policy or state law.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-17a/
Iowa Code 100.31 Fire and tornado drills in schools — warning systems — inspections.
It shall be the duty of the state fire marshal and the fire marshal’s designated subordinates to require all private and public school officials and teachers to conduct not less than four fire drills and not less than four tornado drills in all school buildings during each school year when school is in session.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-iii/chapter-100/section-100-31/
Iowa Code 280.30 High-quality school building emergency operations plans.
The board of directors of a school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall develop a high-quality emergency operation plan for the district and individual school buildings.
https://law.justia.com/codes/iowa/2022/title-vii/chapter-280/section-280-30/
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Social Media
There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Iowa. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School
There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in Iowa. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School