Instruction BP 6158(a) INDEPENDENT STUDY The Board of Trustees authorizes independent study as an optional alternative instructional strategy for students, including adult education students, whose needs may be best met through study outside of the regular classroom setting. Independent study shall offer a means of individualizing the educational plan and enabling students to reach curriculum objectives and fulfill graduation requirements. As necessary to meet student needs, independent study may be offered on a full time basis or on a part time basis in conjunction with part or full time classroom study. (cf. 6143 Courses of Study) (cf. 6146.1 High School Graduation Requirements) (cf. 6200 Adult Education) The Superintendent or designee shall approve independent study for an individual student only upon determining that the student is prepared to meet the district s requirements for independent study and is likely to succeed in independent study as well as or better than he/she would in the regular classroom. The minimum period of time for any independent study option shall be five school days. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that a written independent study agreement, as prescribed by law, exists for each participating student. (Education Code 51747) Parents/guardians and students have the opportunity to participate in independent study in the following programs: 1. K 12 Independent Study Program SVUSD K 12 Independent Study Program is intended for students whose parents/guardians have elected to have their children participate in an independent study program. Parents/guardians must be available and willing to take on the primary responsibility of supervising instruction directed by the Independent Study credentialed teacher in order to participate in this program. K 5 students enrolled in the Independent Studies Program shall be full time Independent Study students. Students at the middle and high school levels must in most cases take at least four classes through Independent Studies in order to participate in the Independent Study program. Exceptions are made for students wishing to make up classes taken and failed in the regular school program. Classes offered through the Independent Study program may be supplemented by online classes, community college courses, or other options. The Superintendent or designee shall provide contact and cooperation between the school system and the home based student program through weekly student and/or parent/guardian meetings with a credentialed teacher who will ensure students are provided standards based curriculum.
BP 6158(b) 2. Short Term Independent Study Short Term Independent Study is also available through individual sites to parents/guardians and students who may not be able to participate in site based instruction for five or more consecutive days during the school year. Parents/guardians will be required to submit a short term independent study request two weeks prior to the date of the first absence. Completed work is due on the first day of the student's return to school and make up assessments, tests and quizzes must be made up within five school days. The Superintendent or designee shall provide contact and cooperation between the school systems and the Short Term Independent Study Program through counseling services providers at school sites who will work directly with teachers to ensure students are provided with continuity of standards based curriculum. 3. Home and Hospital Services Home and Hospital Services will be provided to students with documented health issues that result in long term absences from school that exceed more than 10 consecutive days of instruction. Medical documentation must be provided to initiate program service and continued service will require medical documentation every 30 days. The Superintendent or designee shall provide contact and cooperation between the school systems and the home and hospital services program through five hours of weekly instruction facilitated by a credentialed teacher who will ensure students are provided standards based curriculum. When any participating student fails to complete three consecutive independent study assignments in a period of 15 school days, or misses two appointments with his/her supervising teacher without valid reasons, an evaluation shall be conducted to determine whether it is in the student s best interest to remain in independent study. Legal Reference: (see next page)
BP 6158(c) Legal Reference: EDUCATION CODE 17289 Exemption for facilities 42238 Revenue limits 44865 Qualifications for home teachers and teachers in special classes and schools; consent to assignment 46300 46300.6 Methods of computing ADA 47612.5 Independent study in charter schools 48204 Residency based on parent employment 48206.3 Home or hospital instruction; students with temporary disabilities 48220 Classes of children exempted 48340 Improvement of pupil attendance 48915 Expulsion; particular circumstances 48916.1 Educational program requirements for expelled students 48917 Suspension of expulsion order 51225.3 Requirements for high school graduation 51745 51749.3 Independent study programs 56026 Individuals with exceptional needs FAMILY CODE 6550 Authorization affidavits CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5 11700 11703 Independent study COURT DECISIONS Modesto City Schools v. Education Audits Appeal Panel, (2004) 123 Cal.App.4 th 1365 Management Resources: CDE PUBLICATIONS Independent Study Operations Manual, 2000 edition WEB SITES California Consortium for Independent Study: http://www.ccis.org California Department of Education, Independent Study: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/eo/is Policy adopted: October 23, 2007 revised: September 9, 2008 SCOTTS VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Scotts Valley, California
Instruction AR 6158(a) INDEPENDENT STUDY Educational Opportunities Educational opportunities offered through independent study may include, but are not limited to: (Education Code 51745) 1. Special assignments extending the content of regular courses of instruction (cf. 6143 Courses of Study) 2. Individualized study in a particular area of interest or in a subject not currently available in the regular school curriculum 3. Individualized alternative education designed to teach the knowledge and skills of the core curriculum 4. Continuing and special study during travel 5. Volunteer community service activities that support and strengthen student achievement (cf. 6142.4 Learning Through Community Service) In addition, when requested by the parent/guardian due to emergencies, vacation or illness, independent study may be used on a short term basis to ensure that the student is able to maintain academic progress in his/her regular classes. (cf. 5113 Absences and Excuses) No course required for high school graduation shall be offered exclusively through independent study. (Education Code 51745) (cf. 6146.1 High School Graduation Requirements) Equivalency The district s independent study option shall be substantially equivalent in quality and quantity to classroom instruction, thus enabling students participating in independent study to complete the district s adopted course of study within the customary time frame. Students in independent study shall have access to the same services and resources that are available to other students in the school. (5 CCR 11701.5) (cf. 0410 Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
AR 6158(b) The district shall not provide independent study students and their parents/guardians with funds or items of value that are not provided for other students and their parents/guardians. (Education Code 46300.6, 51747.3) Eligibility for Independent Study Parents/guardians of students who are interested in independent study should contact the principal or designee. Approval for participation shall be based on the following criteria: 1. Evidence that the student will work independently to complete the program 2. Availability of experienced certificated staff with adequate time to effectively supervise the student A student s participation in independent study shall be voluntary. (Education Code 51747) Students participating in independent study must be residents of the local county or an adjacent county. (Education Code 51747.3) Full time independent study shall not be available to students whose district residency status is based on their parent/guardian s employment within district boundaries pursuant to Education Code 48204. (Education Code 51747.3) (cf. 5111.12 Residency Based on Parent/Guardian Employment) In order to be considered a full time student in independent study, the student is required to take a minimum of 4 core classes in independent study. Full time students get preferred placement over part time students into independent study. Students may not take P.E. or electives in independent study unless they are full time students in I.S. Students who are enrolled in independent study for the 2007 8 school year are not subject to the regulations listed previously in this paragraph. A student with disabilities, as defined in Education Code 56026, shall not participate in independent study unless his/her individualized education program specifically provides for such participation. (Education Code 51745) (cf. 6159 Individualized Education Program) A temporarily disabled student shall not receive individual instruction pursuant to Education Code 48206.3 by means of independent study. (Education Code 51745) (cf. 6183 Home and Hospital Instruction) No more than 10 percent of the students enrolled in a continuation high school or opportunity school or program, not including pregnant and parenting students who are primary caregivers for one or more of their children, shall be in independent study at any given time. (Education Code 51745)
AR 6158(c) (cf. 5146 Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students) (cf. 6184 Continuation Education) Students age 21 or older, and students age 19 or older who have not been continuously enrolled in school since their 18th birthday, may participate in independent study only through the adult education program for the purpose of enrolling in courses required for a high school diploma by Education Code 51225.3 or by the Board of Trustees. (Education Code 46300.1, 46300.4) (cf. 6200 Adult Education) Written Agreements A written agreement shall be developed for each student participating in independent study for five or more school days. (Education Code 46300, 51747) The written independent study agreement for each participating student shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (Education Code 51747) 1. The manner, frequency, time and place for submitting the student s assignments and for reporting his/her progress 2. The objectives and methods of study for the student s work, and the methods used to evaluate that work 3. The specific resources, including materials and personnel, that will be made available to the student 4. The Board s independent study policy describing the maximum length of time allowed between an assignment and its completion and the number of missed assignments which will trigger an evaluation of whether the student should be allowed to continue in independent study 5. The duration of the independent study agreement, including the beginning and ending dates for the student s participation in independent study under the agreement, with a maximum of one semester, or one half year if the school is on a year round calendar 6. A statement of the number of course credits or, for an elementary student, other measures of academic accomplishment appropriate to the agreement, to be earned by the student upon completion to which high school courses may be added after the original contract date upon student request without additional signatures of parents or guardians 7. A statement that independent study is an optional educational alternative in which no student may be required to participate
AR 6158(d) 8. In the case of a student who is referred or assigned to any school, class or program pursuant to Education Code 48915 or 48917, a statement that instruction may be provided through independent study only if the student is offered the alternative of classroom instruction (cf. 5144.1 Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process) The agreement also may include a schedule for achieving objectives and completing the agreement and a schedule of conferences between the student and supervising teacher. The curriculum and methods of study specified in the written agreement shall be consistent with Board policy, administrative regulations and procedures for curriculum and instruction. (5 CCR 11702) (cf. 6143 Courses of Study) Before beginning the independent study, each written agreement shall be signed and dated by the student, the parent/guardian or caregiver of the student if the student is under age 18, the certificated employee designated as responsible for the general supervision of independent study, and all persons who have direct responsibility for providing assistance to the student. (Education Code 51747) The agreement shall state that the parent/guardian s signature confirms his/her permission for the student s independent study as specified in the agreement. Student Rights and Responsibilities Students participating in the Independent Study Program shall have the right, continuously, to enter or return to the regular classroom mode of instruction, including upon termination of the agreement. The maximum length of time that may elapse between the time an independent study assignment is made and the time during which the student must complete work is 10 school days. When circumstances justify a longer period of time, the Superintendent or designee may extend the maximum length of time to complete the assignment to 20 school days. When any student fails to attend or complete 80% of assignments in one semester, the Superintendent or designee shall conduct an evaluation to determine whether it is in the students best interest to remain in Independent Study. A written record of the findings of this evaluation shall be retained by law. A current written I.S. Agreement with all the elements and components must be on file for each I.S. student. (EC 35010(b)).
AR 6158(e) The independent study administrator shall promptly and directly address any failure by the student to meet the terms of his/her written agreement because of missed appointments or failure to submit assigned work on time The following supportive strategies may be used: 1. A letter to the student and/or parent/guardian 2. A meeting between the student and the teacher and/or counselor 3. A meeting between the student, the independent study teacher, and the independent study administrator, including the parent/guardian if appropriate 4. A required increase in the amount of time the student works under direct supervision When the student has missed the number of assignments specified in Board policy and the written independent study agreement as precipitating an evaluation, the Superintendent or designee shall conduct an evaluation which may result in termination of the independent study agreement and the student s return to a regular classroom or alternative instructional program. Administration of Independent Study Each student s independent study shall be coordinated, evaluated and carried out under the general supervision of a certificated employee. (Education Code 51747.5) The responsibilities of the independent study administrator shall be to: 1. Ensure that the district s independent study option is operated in accordance with law, Board policy and administrative regulation 2. Approve the participation of students requesting independent study 3. Facilitate the completion of written independent study agreements 4. Approve all credits earned through independent study and forward the information to the appropriate staff so that the information becomes part of the student s record 5. Authorize the selection of staff to be assigned to supervise independent study 6. Supervise any staff assigned to independent study functions who are not regularly supervised by another administrator 7. Complete or coordinate the preparation of all necessary records and reports 8. Establish and maintain in a systematic manner all records required by law, Board policy and administrative regulation
AR 6158(f) 9. Monitor student participation in independent study so that the district stays within prescribed limits and income to the district is maximized 10. Develop and manage the budget for independent study 11. Obtain and maintain current information and skills required for the operation of an independent study strategy that meets established standards for the district s educational programs 12. Assure a smooth transition into and out of the independent study mode of instruction 13. Prepare and submit reports as required by the Board or Superintendent Supervising Teachers The independent study administrator shall approve the assignment of teachers to directly supervise independent study. The teacher may be the student s regular classroom teacher, particularly for elementary students. The ratio of students to full time equivalent certificated employees responsible for independent study shall not exceed the equivalent ratio for all other education programs in the district. The teacher supervising independent study shall: 1. Complete designated portions of the written independent study agreement and add additional information to the written agreement when appropriate 2. Supervise and approve coursework 3. Design all lesson plans and assignments 4. Assess all student work and determine and assign grades or other approved measures of achievement 5. Personally judge the time value of assigned work or work products completed and submitted by the student 6. Select and save with each agreement representative samples of the student s completed and evaluated assignments on not less than a monthly basis, preferably biweekly, and signed or initialed and dated in accordance with item #3 in the section on Records below 7. Sign and complete the agreement when the student has reached his/her objectives or the agreement is terminated
AR 6158(g) 8. Maintain a daily or hourly attendance register in accordance with item #4 in the section on Records below 9. Maintain any other required records and files on a current basis Records For audit purposes, the Superintendent or designee shall maintain the following records: (Education Code 51748; 5 CCR 11703) 1. A copy of the Board policy, administrative regulation, and other procedures related to independent study 2. A separate listing of the students and adult education students, by grade level, program and school, who have participated in independent study, identifying units of the curriculum attempted and units of the curriculum completed by students in grades K 8 and identifying course credits attempted by and awarded to students in grades 9 12 and in adult education, as specified in their written agreements 3. A file of all agreements, with representative samples of each student s or adult education student s work products bearing the supervising teacher s signed or initialed and dated notations indicating that he/she has personally evaluated the work or that he/she has personally reviewed the evaluations made by another certificated teacher 4. A daily or hourly attendance register, as appropriate to the program in which the students are participating, separate from classroom attendance records, and maintained on a current basis as time values of student or adult education work products are personally judged by a certificated teacher, and reviewed by the supervising teacher if they are two different persons The Superintendent or designee also shall maintain a record of grades and other evaluations issued to each student for independent study assignments. Each school shall maintain records for the students at that school. A written record of the findings of any evaluation conducted after the student has missed the number of assignments specified in Board policy shall be treated as a mandatory interim student record which shall be maintained for three years from the date of the evaluation. (Education Code 51747) (cf. 5125 Student Records) Regulation approved: October 23, 2007 revised: September 9, 2008 SCOTTS VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Scotts Valley, California