Section 281.62.8. Good-cause exemption.

 A school district shall exempt students from the retention requirements of rule 281—62.7(256,279) and intensive summer reading program requirements of rule 281—62.5(256,279) for good cause.

         62.8(1) “Good cause” defined. Good-cause exemptions shall be limited to the following:

            a.                Limited English proficient students who have had less than two years of instruction in an English language learners program.

            b.                Students requiring special education whose individualized education program indicates that participation in a locally determined or statewide assessment required by this chapter is not appropriate, consistent with the requirements of rules adopted by the state board of education for the administration of Iowa Code chapter 256B.

            c.                Students who demonstrate an acceptable level of performance on an alternative performance measure approved pursuant to subrule 62.3(2).

            d.                Students who demonstrate mastery through a student portfolio under alternative performance measures approved pursuant to subrule 62.3(3).

            e.                Students who have received intensive remediation in reading for two or more years but who are still persistently at risk in reading and who were previously retained in kindergarten, grade one, grade two, or grade three. Intensive reading instruction for students so promoted must include an altered instructional day that includes specialized diagnostic information and specific reading strategies for each student. The school district shall assist attendance centers and teachers to implement reading strategies that research has shown to be successful in improving reading among low-performing readers.

         62.8(2) Additional documentation required. For students described in paragraphs 62.8(1) “c” and “d,” requests for good-cause exemptions from the retention requirement of subrule 62.5(2) and rule 281—62.7(256,279) shall include documentation from the student’s teacher to the school principal that indicates that the promotion of the student is appropriate and is based upon the student’s academic record. Such documentation shall include but not be limited to the individualized education program, if applicable, report card, or student portfolio.

[ ARC 1331C , IAB 2/19/14, effective 3/26/14;    ARC 2862C , IAB 12/7/16, effective 1/11/17]