12.8(1) Comprehensive school improvement. The general accreditation Standard are minimum, uniform requirements. However, the department encourages schools and school districts to go beyond the minimum with their work toward ongoing improvement. As a means to this end, local comprehensive school improvement plans shall be specific to a school or school district and designed, at a minimum, to increase the learning, achievement, and performance of all students.

As a part of ongoing improvement in its educational system, the board shall adopt a written comprehensive school improvement plan designed for continuous school, parental, and community involvement in the development and monitoring of a plan that is aligned with school or school district determined needs. The plan shall incorporate, to the extent possible, the consolidation of federal and state planning, goal setting, and reporting requirements. The plan shall contain, but is not limited to, the following components:

a. Community involvement.

(1) Local community. The school or school district shall involve the local community in decision-making processes as appropriate. The school or school district shall seek input from the local community about, but not limited to, the following elements at least once every five years:

1. Statement of philosophy, beliefs, mission, or vision;

2. Major educational needs; and

3. Student learning goals.

(2) School improvement advisory committee. To meet requirements of Iowa Code section 280.12(2) as amended by 2007 Iowa Acts, Senate File 61, section 1, the board shall appoint and charge a school improvement advisory committee to make recommendations to the board. Based on the committee members' analysis of the needs assessment data, the committee shall make recommendations to the board about the following components:

1. Major educational needs;

2. Student learning goals;

3. Long-range goals that include, but are not limited to, the state indicators that address reading, mathematics, and science achievement; and

4. Harassment or bullying prevention goals, programs, training, and other initiatives.

(3) At least annually, the school improvement advisory committee shall also make recommendations to the board with regard to, but not limited to, the following:

1. Progress achieved with the annual improvement goals for the state indicators that address reading, mathematics, and science in subrule 12.8(3);

2. Progress achieved with other locally determined core indicators; and

3. Annual improvement goals for the state indicators that address reading, mathematics, and science achievement.

66.4(5) Parent and family involvement. A complete plan of parent-family involvement must be included and shall, at a minimum, contain:

a. The parent communication system to be used which may include letters, checklists, personal contacts by telephone and home visits.

b. In-service provisions for individual and group participation, which may include parent/family counseling, assistance at home, attendance in school affairs, parent training and volunteer assistance.

c. Involvement in the development of program goals, decision-making processes and the evaluation of program services.

a. It is the policy of the general assembly that Iowa’s schools be the best and safest possible. To that end, each school is encouraged to instill the highest character and academic excellence in each student, in close cooperation with the student’s parents, and with input from the community and educators.

Except for the college student aid commission, the commission of libraries and division of library services, and the public broadcasting board and division, the state board shall:

• 21. Develop and adopt rules incorporating accountability for, and reporting of, student achievement into the Standard and accreditation process described in section 256.11. The rules shall provide for all of the following:
• a. Requirements that all school districts and accredited nonpublic schools develop, implement, and file with the department a comprehensive school improvement plan that includes, but is not limited to, demonstrated school, parental, and community involvement in assessing educational needs, establishing local education Standard and student achievement levels, and, as applicable, the consolidation of federal and state planning, goal-setting, and reporting requirements.

Document details parent involvement in familly engagement through boards and planning.