504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the law that prohibits schools from discriminating against students with disabilities. Section 504 sets minimum standards for providing related services and aids to students with disabilities that substantially limit a major life activity. All accredited Iowa schools must comply with Section 504. Section 504 applies to elementary and secondary education, preschool and adult education, and private education.

For more information on the consideration of a 504 Plan for your child, please contact your child’s Principal. The Principal will then take steps to convene a team of individuals who are knowledgeable about your child to determine, based on evaluation data, if a 504 Plan is warranted.

Special Education

Special Education is specially designed instruction that meets the unique needs of a child with a disability. The goal is to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free and appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs.

Special Education services are mandated by state laws and by the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA), a federal law. The Individuals with Disability Education Act:

  • Assures all children with disabilities are provided a free, appropriate, public education designed to meet their unique needs.
  • Protects children’s rights and the rights of their parents or guardians.
  • Assists state and local districts in providing education that assesses students’ strengths and weaknesses and assures the effectiveness of the educational efforts.

Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents Rights for Children Ages 3-21

Special Education Service Delivery Plan

At Risk

As defined by 281 Iowa Administrative Code 12.2(256), an “at-risk student” means any identified student who needs additional support and who is not meeting or not expected to meet the established goals of the educational program (academic, personal/social, career/vocational). At-risk students include but are not limited to students in the following groups: homeless children and youth, dropouts, returning dropouts, and potential dropouts.

The Waukee Community School District will include in its comprehensive school improvement plan the following provisions for meeting the needs of at-risk students (281 Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(13)­:

  1. Valid and systematic procedures and criteria to identify at-risk students throughout the school district’s school-age population,
  2. Determination of appropriate ongoing educational strategies for alternative options education programs as required in Iowa Code of section 280.19A, and
  3. Review and evaluation of the effectiveness of provisions for at-risk students. This sub rule does not apply to accredited nonpublic schools.

The Waukee Community School District will use additional allowable growth for provisions for at-risk students and will incorporate educational program goals for at-risk students into its comprehensive school improvement plan. Provisions for at-risk students will align with the student learning goals and content standards established by the school district. The comprehensive school improvement plan shall also include objectives, activities, cooperative arrangements with other service agencies and service groups, and strategies for parental involvement to meet the needs of at-risk children.

At-Risk Handbook

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

The Waukee Community School District, in accordance with Title III, uses a variety of instructional service models designed to develop proficiency skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. ESOL teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to meet the various learning needs of English Language Learners (ELL). 

ESOL Mission

The Waukee K-12 ESOL Program serves more than 650 students and families with over 90 languages spoken. The ESOL Program supports English Learners in meeting rigorous content and language standards. We support staff, empower families, and bridge connections to our community.

ESOL Vision

To develop collaborative relationships while creating a comprehensive ESOL program that integrates all stakeholders to ensure student success.

Review the WCSD Lau Plan