256.18 Character education policy.
1. a. It is the policy of the general assembly that Iowa’s schools be the best and safest possible. To that end, each school is encouraged to instill the highest character and academic excellence in each student, in close cooperation with the student’s parents, and with input from the community and educators.
b. Schools should make every effort, formally and informally, to stress character qualities that will maintain a safe and orderly learning environment, and that will ultimately equip students to be model citizens. These qualities may include caring, civic virtue and citizenship, justice and fairness, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, giving, honesty, self-discipline, respect for and obedience to the law, citizenship, courage, initiative, commitment, perseverance, kindness, compassion, service, loyalty, patience, the dignity and necessity of hard work, and any other qualities deemed appropriate by a school.
2. The department of education shall assist schools in accessing financial and curricular resources to implement programs stressing these character qualities. Schools are encouraged to use their existing resources to implement programs stressing these qualities. Whenever possible, the department shall develop partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, or an institution of higher education, or with a consortium of two or more of those entities, to design and implement character education programs that may be integrated into classroom instruction and may be carried out with other educational reforms.
94 Acts, ch 1131, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1083, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 180, §6; 2009 Acts, ch 54, §3
Structure Iowa Code
Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 256 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Section 256.1 - Department established.
Section 256.3 - State board established.
Section 256.4 - Oath — vacancies.
Section 256.5 - Compensation and expenses.
Section 256.5A - Nonvoting member.
Section 256.6 - Regular and special meetings.
Section 256.7 - Duties of state board.
Section 256.8 - Director of department of education.
Section 256.9 - Duties of director.
Section 256.9A - Limitation on guidance and interpretations.
Section 256.10 - Employment of professional staff.
Section 256.10A - Duties of consultants.
Section 256.11 - Educational standards.
Section 256.11A - Teacher librarian — guidance counselor — school nurse — waivers.
Section 256.11B - Career and technical education instruction — nonpublic schools.
Section 256.12 - Sharing instructors and services.
Section 256.13 - Nonresident pupils.
Section 256.14 - Permanent revolving fund.
Section 256.15 - Nonpublic school advisory committee.
Section 256.16 - Specific criteria for teacher preparation and certain educators.
Section 256.17 - Postsecondary course audit committee.
Section 256.18 - Character education policy.
Section 256.18A - Service learning.
Section 256.19 - Pilot projects to improve instructional programs.
Section 256.20 - Year around schools.
Section 256.21 - Sabbatical program.
Section 256.22 - Extended year school grant program.
Section 256.23 - Administrative advancement and recruitment program.
Section 256.24 - Competency-based education grant program.
Section 256.25 - Therapeutic classroom incentive grant program — fund.
Section 256.25A - Therapeutic classroom — claims.
Section 256.26 - Before and after school grant program.
Section 256.27 - Online state job posting system.
Section 256.28 - Teach Iowa student teaching pilot project.
Section 256.29 - Council on educator development established.
Section 256.30 - Educational expenses for American Indians.
Section 256.31 - Community college council.
Section 256.32 - Council for agricultural education.
Section 256.32A - Iowa dyslexia board.
Section 256.33 - Educational technology assistance.
Section 256.34 - Fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program.
Section 256.35 - Regional autism assistance program.
Section 256.35A - Iowa autism council.
Section 256.36 - Math and science grant program.
Section 256.37 - School restructuring and effectiveness — policy — findings.
Section 256.38 - School-to-work transition system.
Section 256.39 - Career pathways program.
Section 256.41 - Online learning requirements — school districts.
Section 256.42 - Iowa learning online initiative.
Section 256.43 - Online learning program model.
Section 256.44 - National board certification pilot project.
Section 256.45 - Ambassador to education.
Section 256.46 - Rules for participation in extracurricular activities by certain children.
Section 256.50 - Division of library services — definitions.
Section 256.51 - Division of library services — duties and responsibilities.
Section 256.53 - State publications.
Section 256.54 - State library — law library.
Section 256.55 - State data center.
Section 256.56 - Electronic access to documents.
Section 256.57 - Enrich Iowa program.
Section 256.58 - Library support network.
Section 256.59 - Specialized library services.
Section 256.60 - Library service areas established — purposes.
Section 256.61 - Library service areas and boards of trustees — appointment — terms.
Section 256.62 - Library services advisory panel.
Section 256.66 - Powers and duties of regional trustees.
Section 256.67 - Duties of the area administrator.
Section 256.67A - Insurance eligibility.
Section 256.68 - Distribution and administration of funds.
Section 256.69 - Local financial support.
Section 256.70 - Library compact authorized.
Section 256.71 - Administrator.
Section 256.81 - Public broadcasting division created — administrator — duties.
Section 256.82 - Board — advisory committees.
Section 256.84 - Powers — facilities — rules.
Section 256.85 - Purchase of energy efficiency packages.
Section 256.86 - Competition with private sector.
Section 256.87 - Capital equipment replacement revolving fund.