Update Due to COVID-19
Senate File 2310 allows until July 15, 2020 for a parent or guardian to apply to open-enroll a student for the 2020-2021 school year to an online public school in another school district if the child, the child's caretaker, or another resident of the child's residence has a significant health condition that may increase the risk of COVID-19.
2020-2021 COVID-19 Iowa Open Enrollment Application to Online Providers
Please see the FAQ below regarding this update from the Department of Education.
1. Who is eligible?
A child is eligible for open enrollment if the child, the child's caretaker, or another resident of the child's residence has a significant health condition that may increase the risk of COVID-19.
2. When is the deadline to apply?
Parents or guardians must submit the application, using the form developed by the Department, to the resident district and to the receiving district by July 15, 2020.
3. What information will the parent/guardian need to submit?
The form will require the following information:
- Student information (i.e., legal name, date of birth, grade, gender);
- Parent/guardian contact information;
- Name of the person with the health condition;
- Student’s relationship to the individual with the health condition
- Type of health condition, including written verification of the health - condition from the person's physician or licensed health care provider;
- Resident district and attendance center;
- District requested to open enroll into;
- Whether the student will be enrolled in regular or special education;
- Whether the child is:
- Eligible for special education services.
- Being evaluated for special education services.
- Receiving English language learning services.
- Currently under suspension or expulsion from school.
4. Where is the form available?
The form is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s Open Enrollment web page.
5. What districts may a parent/guardian apply to?
Districts that offer an approved online program (see #6). This does not include on-ground or brick-and-mortar open enrollment.
6. What districts offer an online program that parents or guardians may open enroll their child to?
To date, the following districts have an approved online program:
- CAM offers an online program for students in grades K-12.
- Cedar Rapids offers an online program for students in grades 6-12.
- Clayton Ridge offers an online program for students in grades K-12.
- Council Bluffs offers an online program for students in grades PK-12.
- Des Moines offers an online program for students in grades 9-12.
For the most up-to-date list of approved district online schools, see the online learning web page on the Department of Education website.
7. Who approves the application?
The receiving district superintendent has the authority to approve the application. Any denials of the application require school board action. The receiving district may deny the application if the open enrollment would violate the receiving district’s insufficient classroom space policy. The resident district does not act.
8. If the student lives in a school district with a diversity plan, may the resident district deny the application?
No. The legislation specifically states districts with a diversity plan (i.e., Davenport, Des Moines, Postville, Waterloo, West Liberty) shall not deny these requests.
9. How long will a parent/guardian have to wait for a response?
Within 14 days of receipt, the superintendent of the receiving district shall notify the parent or guardian and the school district of residence if the request has been approved or denied.
10. If the application is denied may a parent/guardian appeal?
Yes. Denials may be appealed to the Iowa State Board of Education.
