ICA School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

Prior to the end of the school year, preferably by the February regular meeting, the Board of Education shall adopt a calendar for the following school year. The calendar shall specify the days during which district schools shall be in session, the days on which the district will close in observation of federal holidays, and the dates of major breaks.

ICA-R School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

The following criteria apply to the District 49 School Family Calendar and should be used when calculating instructional time:

IE Organization of Instruction

The Board of Education shall provide elementary and secondary education extending from kindergarten through grade 12.

IG Curriculum Development

The Board of Education is required by state law to determine the educational programs delivered in the schools of the district. Curriculum shall be aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards to ensure that each student is provided the educational experiences needed to achieve or exceed grade-level standards or complete the requirements and goals as listed on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

IHACA Law-Related Education

The Board of Education recognizes the importance of a law-related education program to enhance student awareness about the law, the legal system, and the fundamental principles and values upon which our constitutional democracy is based.

IHAK Character Education

The Board of Education believes that while parents are the primary and most important moral educators of their children, the school and community should reinforce parental efforts.

IHAL Religion in the Curriculum

Informed by the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution, which specifies that congress will make no law respecting the establishment of religion, public entities should neither promote nor disparage any religion.

IHAM Health and Family Life/Sex Education

The Board believes a comprehensive health education program is an integral part of each student's education. The health education program should emphasize the functioning and proper care of the human body and encourage the development of lifelong, positive health habits. In addition, it should inform students about potential physical and mental health hazards they are likely to encounter in various life situations and help them make sound, intelligent decisions when they are confronted with choices that could affect their health or that of others.

IHAM-R Health and Family Life/Sex Education (Exemption Procedure)

Exemption will be granted from a specific portion of the health education curriculum on the grounds that the material taught is contrary to the religious beliefs and teachings or closely held personal beliefs of the student or of the student’s parent/guardian. If the request for the exemption is from a specific portion of the health education curriculum that concerns human sexuality, no reason must be given by the parent/guardian when requesting the exemption.

IHAMA Teaching about Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

In accordance with state and federal law, the district shall provide age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate drug and alcohol education and prevention programs from early childhood (preschool) through grade twelve (12).

IHBA Special Education Programs for Students with Disabilities

IHBB Gifted Education

The Board of Education is dedicated to providing comprehensive programming for the identification and education of gifted students. Gifted students are those students between the ages of four (4) and twenty-one (21) whose abilities, talents and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. The Board believes that a quality instructional program that differentiates curriculum and instruction is essential so all students can learn and grow to their level of potential.

IHBD Equivalence of Services (Title I)

Pursuant to federal law, school districts receiving Title I funds to provide educational services to students must do so in accordance with Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

IHBEA English Language Learner

In keeping with the intention of the state of Colorado to offer educational opportunities to those children whose dominant language is other than English, the district shall provide suitable research-based language instructional programs for all identified English language learners in grades kindergarten through 12 in accordance with the requirements of state and federal statutes, Colorado State Board of Education rules and the Colorado Department of Education guidance.

IHBF Homebound Instruction

The purpose of homebound instruction is to maintain continuity in the educational process for those students who, because of a temporary extended illness or condition, cannot attend school.

IHBG Home Schooling

IHBIB Primary/Preprimary Education

The District shall establish and maintain a kindergarten program or programs. A kindergarten program may be a half-day or full-day program, and the District shall receive state funding for students enrolled in these programs on a half-day or full- day basis, in accordance with state law. For the 2005-2006 school year and each school year thereafter, a child must be five (5) years of age by September 15 to be eligible for enrollment in any kindergarten program, unless the child is otherwise enrolled in the program pursuant to applicable law. In the Sand Creek Innovation Zone elementary schools, for the 2012-2013 school year and each school year thereafter, a child must be five (5) years of age by August 15 to be eligible for enrollment in any kindergarten program, unless the child is otherwise enrolled in the program pursuant to applicable law.

IHBIB-R Primary/Preprimary Education

The following criteria have been established for the admission of students to the District's preschools:

IHBK Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

The Board believes that to decrease student dropout rates, increase graduation rates and encourage all students to reach their learning potential, it is important to support students in planning for postsecondary and workforce opportunities throughout their education. To promote students’ postsecondary and workforce success and in accordance with state law, the district shall provide the following opportunities and information.

IHBK-R Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

Implementation Plan for Student Individual Career and Academic Plans

IHCDA Concurrent Enrollment

The Board believes that students who wish to pursue postsecondary level work while in high school should be permitted to do so in accordance with this policy and accompanying graduation requirements for successful completion of approved postsecondary courses offered by institutions of higher education.

IHCDA-R-1 Concurrent Enrollment

IHCDA-R-2 ASCENT (Accelerating Students Through Concurrent Enrollment)

ASCENT is Concurrent Enrollment that extends the opportunity for postsecondary enrollment one year beyond the 12th grade year for qualified applicants.

IIB Class Size

The Board is aware that class size has bearing upon effective teaching. It therefore directs the Chief Education Officer to work with principals in establishing a reasonable and equitable class enrollment for each teacher.

IJ Instructional Resources and Materials

As the governing body of the school district, the Board is legally responsible for the selection of instructional materials. Since the Board is a policymaking body, it delegates to the District’s professional personnel the authority for the selection of instructional and library materials in accordance with this policy.