The Board of Education authorizes independent study as a voluntary optional alternative instructional strategy by which students in grades K-12 and adult education may reach curriculum objectives and fulfill graduation requirements. Independent study shall offer a means of individualizing the educational plan for students whose needs may be met best through study outside of the regular classroom setting.
(cf. 5147 - Dropout Prevention)
The district's independent study option shall be substantially equivalent in quality and quantity to classroom instruction, thus enabling students enrolled 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 as is available to other students in the school.
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6200 - Adult Education)
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 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. 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)
To foster each student's success in independent study, the Board establishes the following maximum lengths of time which may elapse between the time an assignment is made and date by which the student must complete the assigned work shall be as follows:
1. For students in grades K-3: 2 weeks
2. For students in grades 4-8: 2 weeks
3. For students in grades 9-12, 3 weeks
continuation and adult education
When circumstances justify a longer time, the Superintendent or designee may extend the maximum length of an assignment to a period not to exceed eight weeks, pursuant to a written request with justification.
When any student fails to complete two 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.
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
The Superintendent or designee district may annually report to the Board the number of students engaged in independent study, the ADA generated, the quality of these students' work as measured by standard indicators, and the number and proportion of independent study students who graduate or successfully complete independent study.
Home Schooling Through Independent Study
The Superintendent or designee shall encourage parents/guardians desiring to teach their children at home to enroll their children in independent study. Such enrollment allows continued contact and cooperation between the school system and home-based student.
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
COURT DECISIONS
Modesto City Schools v. Education Audits Appeal Panel, (2004) 123 Cal.App.4th 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 PETALUMA CITY SCHOOLS
adopted: June 25, 2002 Petaluma, California
revised: April 29, 2008