A regional academy is a program established by a school
district to which multiple school districts send students in grades 7 through
12. In addition to partnering with other school districts, the school district
establishing a regional academy may enter into a contract or a chapter 28E
agreement with one or more accredited nonpublic schools, area education
agencies, community colleges, accredited public or nonpublic postsecondary
institutions, businesses, and private agencies located within or outside of
Iowa.
(1)
Purpose. A
regional academy shall be established to build a culture of innovation for
students and community; to diversify educational and economic opportunities by
engaging in learning experiences that involve students in complex, real-world
projects; and to develop regional or global innovation networks.
(2)
Curriculum. A regional
academy shall include in its curriculum advanced-level courses. A regional
academy may include in its curriculum career and technical courses and core
curriculum coursework. The coursework may be delivered virtually, or via the
ICN, asynchronous learning networks, or Internet-based delivery
systems.
(3)
Supplementary
weighting. School districts participating in regional academies are
eligible for supplementary weighting as provided in Iowa Code section
257.11(2).
The school districts participating in the regional academy shall enter into an
agreement on how the funding generated by the supplementary weighting received
shall be used and shall submit the agreement, as well as a copy of the minutes
of meetings of the local school district boards of directors in which the
boards approved the agreement, to the department for approval by October I of
the year in which the districts intend to request supplementary weighting for
the regional academy.
(4)
Student plan. Information regarding regional academies shall
be provided to a student and the student's parent or guardian prior to the
development of the student's core curriculum plan under Iowa Code section
279.61.
Notes
Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-22.26
ARC 8187B, lAB 10/7/09,
effective 11/11/09; ARC 9902B, lAB 12/14/11, effective
1/18/12
