Independent study entails a commitment by both the parent/guardian and the student. As the student gets older, he/she assumes a greater portion of the responsibility involved. The Superintendent or designee shall determine that the prospective independent study student understands and is prepared to meet the district's requirements for independent study. Independent study may be offered only to students who can achieve in this program as well as or better than they would in the regular classroom.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that a written independent study agreement, as prescribed by law, exists for each participating student. (Education Code 51747)
The Board recognizes that independent study may be used as an option to encourage students to remain in school. Teachers should carefully set the duration of independent study assignments in order to help identify students falling behind in their work or in danger of failing or dropping out of school.
To foster each student's success in independent study, the Board establishes the following maximum lengths of time which may elapse before an independent study assignment is due:
1. Special assignments extending the content of regular courses of instruction:
Students in grades K-3: two weeks.
Students in grades 4-8: four weeks.
Students in grades 9-12: six weeks.
2. Individualized study in a particular area of interest or in a subject not currently available in the regular school curriculum:
Students in grades K-3: two weeks.
Students in grades 4-8: four weeks.
Students in grades 9-12: six weeks.
3. Individualized alternative education designed to teach the knowledge and skills of the core curriculum:
Students in grades K-3: one week.
Students in grades 4-8: two weeks.
Students in grades 9-12: three weeks.
4. Continuing and special study during travel:
Students in grades K-3: three weeks.
Students in grades 4-8: six weeks.
Students in grades 9-12: 10 weeks.
5. Volunteer community service activities that support and strengthen student achievement:
All students: two weeks.
When circumstances justify a longer time, the Superintendent or designee may honor the request of an individual student or his/ her parent/guardian to extend the maximum length of an assignment as follows:
Students in grades K-3: four weeks.
Students in grades 4-8: eight weeks.
Students in grades 9-12: 12 weeks.
When any student fails to complete four consecutive independent study assignments, the Superintendent or designee shall conduct an evaluation to determine whether it is in the student's best interest to remain in independent study. Evaluation findings shall be kept in the student's permanent record. (Education Code 51747)
Students in independent study have access to the same services and resources as is available to other students throughout the school district.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
17289 Exemption for building
44865 Qualifications for home teachers and teachers in special classes and schools; consent to assignment
46300-46300.6 Methods of computing ADA
48340 Improvement of pupil attendance
51225.3 Requirements for High School Graduation and Diploma Commencing with the 1986-87 School Year
51745-51749.3 Independent study programs
52000(e) Improvement of elementary and secondary education: legislative intent
52015 School improvement plans: components of plan
52017 Secondary schools: additional plan components
56026 Individual with exceptional needs
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
11700 Definitions (independent study)
11701 District Responsibilities
11702 Standards for independent study; agreements
11703 Records
Management Resources:
CDE PROGRAM ADVISORIES
1113.09 Independent Study: New Legislation, SPB: 90/91-04
0904.86 Independent Study, SPB: 86/7-5
CDE PUBLICATIONS
Independent Study Operations Manual, 1993
Policy ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: September 9, 1997 Alhambra, California