Competent Private Instruction (CPI)

Competent Private Instruction (CPI) was first adopted into the Iowa Code in 1991.

Until 2013, it was the only means to homeschool in Iowa.

CPI is defined as instruction that:

• uses a plan and course of study  in a setting other than a public or accredited private school.
• is provided on a daily basis for at least 148 days during a school year, to be met by attendance for at least 37 days each school quarter.

Before the law change in 2013, there were basically two ways to provide CPI (both of which required the filing of CPI Form A at the resident school district), either:

• under the supervision of an Iowa licensed teacher with grade-appropriate credentials (CPI Option 1).
• with the submission of adequate annual assessment results at the end of the school year (CPI Option 2).

Under current law:

• CPI Option 2 now has two versions:
  • one that does not require the filing of Form A and does not require the submission of adequate annual assessment results (CPI Option 2 with Opt-Out Reporting).
    [CHOICE #2]
  • one that still requires the filing of Form A and the submission of adequate annual assessment results (CPI Option 2 with Opt-In Reporting).
    [CHOICE #3]

• CPI Option 1 remains as before, with two versions:
  • one that uses the supervision of an Iowa licensed teacher with grade-appropriate credentials who is selected by the homeschooling parent
    [CHOICE #4]
  • one that use the supervision of an Iowa licensed teacher with grade-appropriate credentials who is selected and provided by the public school through a Home School Assistance Program (HSAP)
    [CHOICE #5]

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