281—32.2(259A) Eligibility to participate.
	32.2(1) No one under 16 years and nine months of age is allowed to participate in an approved program, with the exception of a person who is at least 16 years of age and satisfies one or more of the following conditions:
	a. 	Is a resident of an Iowa juvenile institution;
	b. 	Is an active participant in Job Corps; or
	c. 	Is under the supervision of a probation office.
	32.2(2) Anyone 16 years and nine months of age or older who is not enrolled in a secondary school nor is a high school graduate is permitted to apply for enrollment in an approved program. The requirements for admission into an approved program are:
	a. 	Proof of age and, for an applicant under 18 years of age, consent of the applicant’s parent or guardian.
	b. 	For an applicant under 19 years of age, verification of nonenrolled status from the last high school attended.
	c. 	Completion of a comprehensive intake by an eligible institution. For purposes of this chapter, the intake includes all of the following:
	(1)	Assessment of the applicant’s reading level and career interests and aptitudes.
	(2)	Discussion of program options available to the applicant regarding completion of a high school equivalency diploma, to include the requirements, expectations, benefits, and limitations of each option.
	(3)	Development of a plan for the completion of one of the options discussed and subsequent activities necessary to work toward an identified goal, career pathway, occupation, or further education.
	32.2(3) An eligible participant who successfully completes an approved program will not be awarded a high school equivalency diploma until the participant reaches 18 years of age and the participant’s ninth grade class has graduated from high school. This subrule does not apply to eligible participants described in paragraphs 32.2(1)“a” through “c,” who may receive their diploma at any time after completion.
[ARC 7655C, IAB 3/6/24, effective 4/10/24]