No course required for high school graduation shall be offered exclusively through independent study. (Education Code 51745)
No individual with exceptional needs, as defined in Education Code 56026, may participate in independent study unless his/her individualized education program specifically provides for such participation. (Education Code 51745)
Students enrolling in independent study must be residents of the county or an adjacent county. (Education Code 51747.3)
No more than 10% of the students enrolled in Continuation or Opportunity Education may be on independent study at any given time. (Education Code 51745)
No temporarily disabled student may receive individual instruction pursuant to Education Code 48206.3 by means of independent study. (Education Code 51745)
(cf. 6183 - Home and Hospital Instruction)
The district shall not provide independent study students and parents/guardians with funds or items of value that are not provided for other students and parents/guardians. (Education Code 46330.6, 51747.3)
Independent study in the regular program may be offered to students 19 or 20 years of age only if they have been continuously enrolled in school since their 18th birthday. (Education Code 46300.1)
(cf. 6200 - Adult Education)
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. (Education Code 51747.3)
(cf. 5111.12 - Residency Based on Parent/Guardian Employment)
Each student's independent study shall be coordinated, evaluated and carried out under the general supervision of a certificated employee. (Education Code 51747.5)
Criteria for Participation
Students who are interested in independent study should contact their school principal and/or counselor. Approval for participation shall be based on the following criteria:
1. An acceptable reason for requesting independent study.
2. Evidence that the student will work independently to complete the program.
3. Evidence of academic ability in reading and math skills.
4. Availability of experienced certificated staff with adequate time to supervise the student effectively.
5. A written statement indicating educational objectives, how the objectives will be accomplished, and how progress toward the objectives will be measured.
Written Agreements and Assignments
A written independent study agreement shall be executed for each participating student. The agreement 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 staff, which will be made available to the student.
4. A copy of the district'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. No independent study agreement shall be valid for any period longer than one semester, or one-half year for a school on a year-round calendar.
6. A statement of the number of course credits or, for the elementary grades, other measures of academic accomplishment appropriate to the agreement, to be earned by the student upon completion.
7. A statement that independent study is an optional educational alternative in which no student may be required to participate.
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, the agreement also shall include the statement that instruction may be provided through independent study only if the student is offered the alternative of classroom instruction.
Before beginning the independent study, each written agreement shall be signed by the student, the parent/guardian of the student under 18 years of age, 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 confers his/her permission for the student's independent study as specified in the agreement.
Records
District records shall identify all students participating in independent study and shall specify the grade level, program placement, and school in which each of these students is enrolled. (Education Code 51748)
Each school shall maintain records for the students at that school.
Records shall include the following: (Code of Regulations, Title 5, 11703)
1. A copy of the district policy, administrative regulation, and procedures related to independent study.
2. A file of all agreements, with representative samples of each student's completed and evaluated assignments.
3. A list of participating students, showing credits attempted by and awarded to students per agreement.
4. An attendance register separate from other attendance records.
5. A record of grades and other evaluations issued to each student for independent study assignments.
Supportive Strategies
When an independent study student fails to attend a scheduled conference or to submit four consecutive assignments on time, one or more of the following shall result:
1. A letter to the student and/or parent/guardian, as appropriate.
2. A special meeting between the student and the teacher and/or counselor.
3. A meeting between the student and the administrator, including the parent/guardian if appropriate.
4. An increase in the amount of time the student works under direct supervision (such as the student may be required to attend daily tutorial sessions).
When the student has missed the number of assignments specified in Board policy as precipitating an evaluation, the Superintendent or designee shall conduct an evaluation which may result in termination of the independent study agreement, with the student's return to a regular classroom or alternative instructional program.
Regulation ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: September 9, 1997 Alhambra, California