Under Iowa Code 256.12, eligible students with disabilities who are parentally placed in accredited nonpublic schools are entitled to special education and related services provided by public agencies “in the same manner and to the same extent that they are provided to public school students.” Iowa law reflects the state’s full-service entitlement and establishes responsibilities that extend beyond federal baseline requirements, including access to FAPE, Child Find and applicable procedural protections. Iowa’s funding structure includes eligible nonpublic students in the weighted special education child count, with funding for the provision of special education services remaining with the resident district.
Webinars
Webinars share important and emerging information about special education policies and how they apply in Iowa’s accredited nonpublic school settings. The content is grounded in Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Rules and is designed to help Area Education Agencies (AEAs), public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and families better understand their roles, responsibilities, and shared practices.
Participants will have opportunities to ask questions and engage with team members from the Department’s Division of Special Education. Recorded webinars and any supporting documents will be posted in the corresponding sections of the webpage.
Join Us & Tell a Friend
Join the webinars on Zoom using passcode 431127. No registration is required. The link remains the same each session.
Upcoming Dates & Topics
The time for all webinars is 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- Feb. 18, 2026: AEA Level Consultation - Guidance on the foundational AEA consultation meeting, establishing systems for Child Find and special education service delivery.
- March 25, 2026: Child Find & Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) - The Child Find process, including disability suspect, evaluation and eligibility for special education services. Explaining FAPE as a right provided to identified special education students, at public expense and under public supervision.
- April 15, 2026: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) - Information to understand how IEPs are individualized plans to meet a student's educational needs. This information will help administrators and families understand the processes and roles involved, as well as rights afforded by IDEA.
- May 20, 2026: Discipline, Behavior and Manifestation Determinations - Understanding discipline requirements, evaluating behavioral needs and implementing behavior intervention plans for identified students, as well as the protections afforded to students and families.