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.
The purpose of the survey is not only to gather feedback on the webinars and resources that have already been provided, but also to better understand: what is currently working well, where additional clarification or support may be helpful, and what topics, tools, or implementation supports would be most valuable moving forward. Because this work involves accredited nonpublic schools, AEAs, LEAs, and other partners working together within Iowa’s unique framework, it is especially important that we hear perspectives from across stakeholder groups and across the state. The survey should take about 8–10 minutes to complete, and responses will be reviewed in aggregate to help inform future statewide support efforts, resources, webinars, and guidance.
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
Time for all webinars is 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The Accredited Nonpublic Schools and Special Education Webinar Series will be continued during the 2026–2027 school year starting on Oct. 6 with Dispute Resolution. The Dispute Resolution webinar will address conflict prevention through collaboratively written systems and provide an overview of the Mediation, Due Process and State Complaints process.
Other future topics to be covered will be updated here and webinars will be held on the first Tuesday in November, December, February, March and April. All webinars will be recorded and posted below.
Please contact the Nonpublic School Liaison, Janelle Danner, at [email protected] with questions or feedback on additional topics.
List items for Accredited Nonpublic Schools and Special Education
AEA level consultation provides a structured forum for AEAs, LEAs, and all accredited nonpublic schools to build and sustain collaborative systems that support special education services for eligible students parentally placed in accredited nonpublic schools. Consultation clarifies roles, fosters communication and shared understanding, and establishes a foundation for ongoing collaboration, including implementation of Child Find and IEPs “in the same manner and to the same extent that they are to public school students.” Iowa Code 256.12.
AEA Level Consultation Webinar Recording - Recorded 2-18-26. State-focused consultation guidelines clarify required components, roles and responsibilities, with emphasis on Iowa Code 256.12 and the requirement to serve students “in the same manner and to the same extent.” The guidelines stress meaningful collaboration, communication and shared planning for services to accredited nonpublic students eligible for special education. Presentation intended for AEAs, LEAs and accredited nonpublic school representatives.
Child Find and Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Webinar Recording - Recorded 3-25-26. Overview of Child Find responsibilities and processes with a focus on understanding for accredited nonpublic school staff and families. Foundational understanding of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and how it applies to accredited nonpublic school students "in the same manner and to the same extent" as public school students.
Discipline, Behavior and Manifestation Determinations Webinar Recording - Recorded 5-20-26. Overview of how instructional strategies, behavior supports, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), discipline procedures, and legal protections under IDEA work together to support students with disabilities who are parentally placed in accredited nonpublic schools. It emphasizes an essential committed partnership between accredited nonpublic schools and public school districts, which retain responsibility for ensuring FAPE. This partnership is critical in recognizing student needs, coordinating behavioral and instructional supports, sharing relevant information, and ensuring consistent responses across educational settings. Through ongoing communication and collaboration, teams can make informed decisions that protect student access to learning while addressing behavioral needs effectively.
