Congratulations! Yet another school year is almost complete! Before you head out the door to enjoy a fun-filled summer, you may find yourself asking whether or not your students have completed all they need to in their I Have A Plan Iowa™ accounts to comply with the State Code. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding compliance with the State Code and I Have A Plan Iowa™ (IHAPI):
1. What data does the Department of Education look at to determine compliance?
The Department of Education will look at numbers which are very similar to those found on your Guideways Tracking Report. They compare each school’s enrollment data as of October 1 to:
- The number of students in each grade who created an IHAPI account.
- The number of students who created an account and then started the Guideways.
- The number of students who created an account and then go on to finish their grade appropriate Guideway.
The Department of Education recognizes that the number of students who complete their guideway might be slightly different than enrollment data from October 1st due to students who move in and/or out during the school year. While they receive data from the IHAPI vendor pertaining to guideway completion, they are unable to view individual student progress such as elements of individual student portfolios.
2. What are the requirements for special education students?
Per Iowa Code 279.61, all students, including special education students, must complete the Required State Components of the state career planning system. To the extent appropriate, IEP students should complete the components in the same method as their peers. However, alternate assessments or programs may be used for the students who, for example, will not be able to complete the component even with accommodations. In these instances, assessments should still be done to determine interests and preferences, but at a much different level than is available through the electronic format. The school’s IEP team should be consulted as they are already working on transitions for these students. If you need further help, contact your AEA special education consultant or Barb Guy (barbara.guy@iowa.gov ) at the Department of Education.
Data for students who complete all work within the Guideways of IHAPI (www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov) will be reported to the state. However, student work completed through alternate methods should be reported on the forms found on the Student Curriculum (8th Grade) Plan page of the Department of Education website. Click on “Reporting.” The form is due June 15th.
Schools not working within the Guideways or using other programs will indicate students who complete through alternate methods on their annual report which can be found on the Student Curriculum (8th Grade) Plan page of the Department of Education website. Click on “Reporting.” The form is due June 15th.
3. What documentation does my school need to keep?
Student Curriculum Plans (Plans of Study) that have been approved by a parent/guardian with a physical signature should be kept either in the student’s cumulative folder or in a place accessible to educators for student planning.
4. What are the consequences if a student has not completed the Guideway?
Iowa school districts are monitored through the Comprehensive School Improvement Process (CSIP) for accreditation every 5 years. During the site visit process, school-wide reports and sample portfolio files will be examined for evidence of the planning process for all students. Districts are responsible for students within their schools. The Department of Education will follow up each year with districts when their data shows they have low numbers of completers in one or more grades.
5. What date with the Department of Education look at my school’s Guideway completion data?
The Department of Education will ask the IHAPI vendor to send the state-wide report by June 15th.
6. If I am concerned about my school or organizations progress in meeting the Iowa Code legislation, who should I contact?
Sandra Dop at Sandra.Dop@iowa.gov
For additional Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the Department of Education site at:
