Iowa § 257.39 - 257.39 Definitions — potential dropouts and returning dropouts.

§ 257.39. 257.39 Definitions — potential dropouts and returning dropouts.

As used in this chapter: 1. “Potential dropouts” are resident pupils who are enrolled in a public or nonpublic school who demonstrate poor school adjustment as indicated by two or more of the following: a. High rate of absenteeism, truancy, or frequent tardiness. b. Limited or no extracurricular participation or lack of identification with school, including but not limited to expressed feelings of not belonging. c. Poor grades, including but not limited to failing in one or more school subjects or grade levels. d. Low achievement scores in reading or mathematics which reflect achievement at two years or more below grade level. e. Children in grades kindergarten through three who meet the definition of at-risk children adopted by the department of education. 2. “Returning dropouts” are resident pupils who have been enrolled in a public or nonpublic school in any of grades seven through twelve who withdrew from school for a reason other than transfer to another school or school district and who subsequently enrolled in a public school in the district. 89 Acts, ch 135, §39; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §38 Referred to in §257.10, 257.11, 282.27 Thu Dec 11 19:21:07 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Section 257.39 (22, 0)