Considerations for Special Education Records

We have received questions recently about the requirements for maintaining student records for students requiring special education. Please note the guidance provided from the Iowa Department of Education in this document.

Management of student records is a district decision. However, if districts move to an electronic file, they must be able to ensure that they can access these records when needed. With technology ever-changing, districts need to be very thoughtful when determining what electronic record format will be used.

For example, if a student went to school until he/she was 21 and was entitled until that time, the rules would require the student to be able to access those records for five years past the time of services. The records need to be maintained, according to the Iowa Administrative Rules of Special Education, for five years after special education services end. [41.624(3)].

Young Entrepreneur Competition - Have Your Students Compete!

The Jacobson Institute is hosting a BizInnovator Competition for high school students in grades 9-12. Students don't need a business background to compete! They just need motivation, passion and a good idea. Compete using a new or existing business/invention/innovation idea or build off an innovation developed from an existing program. The deadline to submit an application and executive summary is April 29, 2016. $3,000 in cash prizes will be given away! Learn more at BizInnovator.

New Resource for Iowa Core

Jane Schmidt, an educator from the Maquoketa Community School District, is debuting a new blog on the Iowa Core website. Through this blog, “Voice from the Field,” Jane will describe the progress and challenges faced by her district and others as they continue to put the Iowa Core into practice.

Jane will write about, as she says, “the good, the bad, and the ugly of Iowa Core implementation.” Jane became a passionate voice of support for Iowa’s state standards during her term as 2014 Iowa Teacher of the Year, when she visited schools and community groups in all 99 counties. Join the conversation today!