281—34.2(282) Definitions. For the purposes of these rules, the following definitions apply:
“AEA” means an area education agency.
“Aggregate days” means the sum of the number of days of attendance, excluding days absent, for all school-age pupils who are enrolled during the school year. A student is considered enrolled after being placed in the institution and taking part in the educational program. Enrollment begins on the date that the student begins taking part in the educational program and ends on the date that the student leaves the institution or receives a high school diploma or its equivalent, whichever occurs first.
“Average daily attendance” or “ADA” means the average obtained by dividing the total of the aggregate days of attendance by the total number of student contact days. ADA for purposes of this chapter will be calculated on the regular school year exclusive of summer session.
“Department” means the Iowa department of education.
“District of residence” means the school district in which the parent or guardian of the child resides or as defined under operation of law. If the student’s parental rights have been terminated or if a parent cannot be located in Iowa after a reasonable effort has been made, the school district of the child’s residence is considered the district where the institution is physically located.
“Individualized education program” or “IEP” means the written record of an eligible individual’s special education and related services developed in accordance with 281—Chapter 41. The IEP document records the decisions reached at the IEP meeting and sets forth in writing a commitment of resources necessary to enable an eligible individual to receive needed special education and related services appropriate to the individual’s special learning needs. There is one IEP that specifies all the special education and related services for an eligible individual.
“Institution” means the Mental Health Institute, Independence, Iowa; and the State Training School, Eldora, Iowa.
“Proposed educational program” means a written description of the general education program, special education services, transition activities, and summer school programs that are proposed to be implemented in order to provide appropriate educational services for each child residing in an institution.
“Proposed educational program budget” means a document that outlines the costs for providing the proposed educational program as defined in these rules.
“Regular school year” means the number of days that school is in session, not to exceed 180 days. The regular school year for each institution shall begin on the first day of school established by the school district in which each institution is located.
“School-age pupil” means a student who is a resident of the state of Iowa and who is at least 5 years of age but less than 21 years of age on September 15 of the school year, or a younger age if served pursuant to an IEP.
“Student contact days” means the days during which the educational program is provided and students are under the guidance and instruction of the professional instructional staff.
“Transition” means communication between the institution, the child’s district of residence, and any other relevant stakeholders to develop a plan for assisting the child to adjust to school in the district of residence upon the child’s return. Planning for support and follow-up includes contacts with the child’s district of residence, community agencies, and the AEA when needed.
[ARC 7791C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24]