Burlington board approves 2026 Program of Studies as state mandates loom
Loading...
Summary
The Burlington Community School District board approved the high school Program of Studies, including new dual‑enrollment and CTE offerings, and discussed implementation of a forthcoming state civics test and accommodations for students with IEPs.
The Burlington Community School District board voted Jan. 12 to approve the 2026 Program of Studies for Burlington High School after a lengthy presentation and discussion with high‑school staff.
Corey Johnson, presenting the 70‑page guide, said the document reflects the district’s transition from trimesters to semesters, addition of college credit and career‑technical education (CTE) options, and pruning of low‑enrollment electives. "If we’re offering it on our campus, the intention would be that we’re offering it on our campus," Johnson said while describing concurrent enrollment arrangements with SCC and the District’s effort to keep college‑level coursework available locally.
The board’s discussion focused heavily on a new state requirement to administer a civics test. "Students in the state of Iowa starting next school year will be required to take and pass the civics test," Johnson said, noting that the Department of Education will develop and distribute the test and that guidance on accommodations and administration is still forthcoming. Board members asked how the district will place instruction (for example, moving government courses earlier in students’ course sequences), how retake opportunities will work, and how students with IEPs will be accommodated. Johnson said accommodations are allowed by law but that specific operational guidance has not yet been issued.
The Program of Studies also includes a placeholder describing a proposed CEO entrepreneurship consortium — a privately funded collaboration led by the Greater Burlington Partnership — and a set of new electives intended to gauge student interest. Staff described approaches to manage small classes, CTE staffing and state funding that offsets lower enrollment thresholds in technical programs.
After questions and amendments for minor corrections, the board approved the Program of Studies "as presented with any corrections that have been made" by voice vote.
What happens next: staff said the guide is hosted online and minor typographical or informational updates will be made directly on the website; the board will receive any substantive updates through the normal policy/revision process.
