Instruction                                                                                     AR 6158

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
    
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, but not provided as an alternative curriculum
    
4. Continuing and special study during travel
    
5. Volunteer community service activities and leadership opportunities that support and strengthen student achievement

In addition, when requested by a parent/guardian due to an emergency, 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.

No course required for high school graduation shall be offered exclusively through independent study. (Education Code 51745)

Equivalency

The district's independent study option shall be substantially equivalent in quality and quantity to classroom instruction to enable participating students to complete the district's adopted course of study within the customary timeframe. Students in independent study shall have access to the same services and resources that are available to other students in the school and shall have equal rights and privileges. (5 CCR 11700, 11701.5)

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)

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                        AR6158(b)

Eligibility for Independent Study

Provided that experienced certificated staff are available to effectively supervise students in independent study, the Superintendent or designee may approve the participation of a student who demonstrates the motivation, commitment, organizational skills, and academic skills necessary to work independently. A student whose academic performance is not at grade level may participate in independent study only if the program is able to provide appropriate support, such as supplemental instruction, tutoring, counseling, ongoing diagnostic assessments, and/or differentiated materials, to enable the student to be successful. For an elementary student, the Superintendent or designee may consider the parent/guardian's level of commitment to assist the student.

A student participating in independent study must be a resident of the county or an adjacent county. 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 46300.2, 51747.3)

For a student with disabilities, as defined in Education Code 56026, participation in independent study shall be approved only if his/her individualized education program specifically provides for such participation. (Education Code 51745)

A temporarily disabled student shall not receive individual instruction pursuant to Education Code 48206.3 by means of independent study. (Education Code 51745)

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 the Governing Board. (Education Code 46300.1, 46300.4)

No more than 10 percent of the students enrolled in a continuation high school or opportunity school or program, not including pregnant students and parenting students who are primary caregivers for one or more of their children, shall be enrolled in independent study. (Education Code 51745)

Master Agreement

For the 2021-22 school year only, the district shall obtain a signed written agreement for independent study no later than 30 days after the first day of instruction.

A written agreement shall be developed and implemented for each student participating in independent study for five or more consecutive school days. (Education Code 46300, 51747; 5 CCR 11703)

The agreement shall include general student data, including the student's name, address, grade level, birth date, school of enrollment, and program placement.

The independent study agreement for each participating student also shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (Education Code 51747; 5 CCR 11700, 11702)

1. The frequency, time, place and manner for submitting the student's assignments,

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                        AR6158(c)

reporting the student's academic progress and communicating with a student's parent/guardian regarding the student's academic 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 that will be made available to the student, including materials and personnel, and access to Internet connectivity and devices adequate to participate in the educational program and complete assigned work.
4. A statement of the Board's policy detailing the maximum length of time allowed between an assignment and its completion and the number of missed assignments, by grade level and type of program, 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 school year.
    
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.
7. A statement detailing the academic and other supports that will be provided to address the needs of students who are not performing at grade level, or need support in other areas, such as English learners, students with disabilities with an individualized education program or a Section 504 plan in order to be consistent with their program or plan, students in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and students requiring mental health supports.
8. A statement that independent study is an optional educational alternative in which no student may be required to participate.
    
9. 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.
    
10. Before the commencement of independent study, the agreement shall be signed and dated by the student, the student's parent/guardian or caregiver if the student is under age 18 years, the certificated employee responsible for the general supervision of independent study, and all persons who have direct responsibility for providing assistance to the student.  For purposes

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                                AR6158(d)

of this paragraph “caregiver” means a person who has met the requirements of Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 6550) of Division 11 of the Family Code.

However, for the 2021-22 school year, the district shall obtain a signed written agreement for independent study from the student, or the student's parent/ guardian if the student is less than 18 years of age, the certificated employee who has been designated as having responsibility for the general supervision of independent study, and all persons who have direct responsibility for providing assistance to the pupil, no later than 30 days after the first day of instruction.

Written agreements may be signed using an electronic signature that complies with state and federal standards, as determined by the California Department of Education. (Education Code 51747)

The parent/guardian's signature on the agreement shall constitute permission for the student to receive instruction through independent study.

Course-Based Independent Study

The district shall offer a course-based independent study program for students in grades K-12 subject to the following requirements: (Education Code 51749.5)

1. A signed learning agreement shall be completed and on file for each participating student pursuant to Education Code 51749.6.
2. Courses shall be taught under the general supervision of certificated employees who hold the appropriate subject matter credential, and are employed by the district or by another district, charter school, or county office of education with which the district has a memorandum of understanding to provide the instruction.
    
3. Courses shall be annually certified by Board resolution to be of the same rigor and educational quality and to provide intellectual challenge that is substantially equivalent to in-person, classroom-based instruction, and shall be aligned to all relevant local and state content standards. For high schools, this shall include access to all courses offered by the district for graduation and approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the A-G admissions criteria. The certification shall, at a minimum, include the duration, number of equivalent daily instructional minutes for each school day that student is enrolled, number of equivalent total instructional minutes, and number of course credits for each course, consistent with that of equivalent classroom-based courses. The certification shall also include plans to provide opportunities for students in grades transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1-3 to receive daily synchronous instruction, for students in grades 4-8, to receive both daily live interaction and at least weekly synchronous instruction, and for students in grades 9-12 to receive at least weekly synchronous instruction throughout the school year. 

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                            AR6158(e)

4. Students enrolled in these courses shall meet the applicable age requirements established pursuant to Education Code 46300.1 and 46300.4 and the applicable residency and enrollment requirements established pursuant to Education Code 46300.2, 47612, 48204, and 51747.3.
5. For each student participating in an independent study course, satisfactory educational progress shall be determined based on the student's achievement and engagement in the independent study program, as indicated by their performance on applicable student-level measures of student achievement and student engagement set forth in Education Code 52060, completion of assignments, assessments, or other indicators that evidence that the student is working on assignments, learning of required concepts, as determined by the supervising teacher, and progress toward successful completion of the course of study or individual course, as determined by the supervising teacher.
6. Teachers shall communicate with each student in person, by telephone, or by any other live visual or audio connection at least twice per calendar month to assess whether the student is making satisfactory educational progress. For this purpose, satisfactory educational progress includes, but is not limited to, applicable statewide accountability measures and the completion of assignments, examinations, or other indicators that the student is working on assignments, learning required concepts, and progressing toward successful completion of the course, as determined by the teacher providing instruction.
   
   Written or computer-based evidence of satisfactory educational progress shall be retained for each course and student, including, at a minimum, a grade book or summary document that lists all assignments, examinations, and associated grades for each course.
   
   If satisfactory educational progress is not being made, the teacher shall notify the student and, if the student is under age 18 years, his/her parent/guardian. The teacher shall conduct an evaluation to determine whether it is in the student's best interest to remain in the course or whether he/she should be referred to an alternative program, which may include, but is not limited to, a regular school program. A written record of the evaluation findings shall be a mandatory interim student record maintained for three years from the date of the evaluation. If the student transfers to another California public school, the record shall be forwarded to that school.
7. Procedures for tiered reengagement strategies shall be used for all students who are not making satisfactory educational progress in one or more courses or who are in violation of the written learning agreement, as described in the section "Learning Agreement for Course-Based Independent Study" below. These procedures shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the verification of current contact information for each enrolled student, notification to parents/guardians of lack of participation within one school day of the absence

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                            AR6158(f)

8. or lack of participation, a plan for outreach from the school to determine student needs, including connection with health and social services as necessary, and a clear standard for requiring a student- parent-educator conference to review a student's written agreement and reconsider the independent study program's impact on the student's achievement and well-being, consistent with the written learning agreement.
9. Examinations shall be administered by a proctor.
    
10. Statewide testing results shall be reported and assigned to the school at which the student is enrolled and shall be included in the aggregate results of the district. Test results also shall be disaggregated for purposes of comparisons with the test results of students enrolled in classroom-based courses.
     
11. A student shall not be required to enroll in courses included in this program.
     
12. The student-teacher ratio in the courses in this program shall meet the requirements of Education Code 51745.6.
     
13. For each student, the combined equivalent daily instructional minutes for courses in this program and all other courses shall meet applicable minimum instructional day requirements, and the student shall be offered the minimum annual total equivalent instructional minutes pursuant to Education Code 46200-46208.
     
14. Courses required for high school graduation or for admission to the University of California or California State University shall not be offered exclusively through independent study.
     
15. A student participating in this program shall not be assessed a fee that is prohibited by Education Code 49011.
     
16. A student shall not be prohibited from participating in independent study solely on the basis that he/she does not have the materials, equipment, or Internet access necessary to participate in the course.
17. A student with disabilities, as defined in Education Code 56026, shall not participate in course-based independent study, unless the student's individualized education program specifically provides for that participation.
18. A temporarily disabled student shall not receive individual instruction pursuant to Education Code 48206.3 through course-based independent study.
19. The District shall maintain a plan to transition any student whose family wishes to return to in-person instruction from course-based independent study expeditiously, and, in no case, later than five (5) instructional days.

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                            AR6158(g)

Learning Agreement for Course-Based Independent Study

Before enrolling a student in a course within this program, the Superintendent or designee shall provide the student and, if the student is under age 18 years, his/her parent/guardian with a written learning agreement that includes all of the following: (Education Code 51749.6)

1. A summary of the District's policies and procedures related to course-based independent study pursuant to Education Code 51749.5.
    
2. The duration of the enrolled course(s) and the number of course credits for each enrolled course, consistent with the Board certifications made pursuant to item #3 above.
    
3. The duration of the learning agreement, which shall not exceed a school year or span multiple school years.
    
4. The learning objectives and expectations for each course, including, but not limited to, a description of how satisfactory educational progress is measured and when a student evaluation is required to determine whether the student should remain in the course or be referred to an alternative program, which may include, but is not limited to, a regular school program.
    
5. The specific resources, including materials and personnel, that will be made available to the student, and access to Internet connectivity and devices adequate to participate in the educational program and complete assigned work.
6. A statement detailing the academic and other supports that will be provided to address the needs of students who are not performing at grade level, or need
7. support in other areas, such as English learners, students with disabilities with an individualized education program or a Section 504 plan in order to be consistent with their program or plan, students in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and students requiring mental health supports.
8. A statement that enrollment is an optional educational alternative in which no student may be required to participate. In the case of a student who is suspended or expelled, or 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 to the student through course-based independent study only if the student is offered the alternative of classroom instruction.
9. The manner, time, frequency, and place for submitting a student's assignments, for reporting the student's academic progress, and for communicating with a student's parent/guardian regarding a student's academic progress.

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                            AR6158(h)

10. The objectives and methods of study for the student's work, and the methods used to evaluate that work.
11. A statement of the adopted policies regarding the maximum length of time allowed between the assignment and the completion of a student's assigned work, the level of satisfactory educational progress, and the number of missed assignments allowed before an evaluation of whether the student should be allowed to continue in course- based independent study.
12. A statement of the number of course credits or, for the elementary grades, other measures of academic accomplishment appropriate to the learning agreement, to be earned by the student upon completion.
     

Before the commencement of an independent study course, the learning agreement shall be signed and dated by the student, the student's parent/guardian or caregiver, if the student is less than 18 years of age, the certificated employee who has been designated as having responsibility for the general supervision of the independent study course, and all persons who have direct responsibility for providing assistance to the student. For purposes of this paragraph "caregiver" means a person who has met the requirements of Family Code 6550-6552.

However, for the 2021-22 school year only, the district shall obtain a signed written agreement for independent study from the student, or the student's parent/guardian if the student is less than 18 years of age, the certificated employee who has been designated as having responsibility for the general supervision of the independent study course, and all persons who have direct responsibility for providing assistance to the pupil no later than 30 days after the first day of instruction.

Before signing a written agreement pursuant to this section, and upon the request of the parent or guardian of a pupil, the local educational agency shall conduct a phone, videoconference, or in-person pupil-parent-educator conference or other school meeting during which the pupil, parent or guardian, and, if requested by the pupil or parent, an education advocate, may ask questions about the educational options, including which curriculum offerings and nonacademic supports will be available to the pupil in independent study, before making the decision about enrollment or disenrollment in the various options for learning.

Written agreements may be signed using an electronic signature that complies with state and federal standards, as determined by the CDE. (Education Code  51749.6)

The student's or parent/guardian's signature shall constitute permission for the student to receive instruction through independent study. (Education Code 51749.6)

The Superintendent or designee shall retain a physical or electronic copy of the signed learning agreement for at least three years and as appropriate for auditing purposes. (Education Code 51749.6)

Student-Parent-Educator Conferences
A student-parent-educator conference shall be held as appropriate including, but not limited to, as

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                               AR6158(i)

a reengagement strategy and/or if requested by a parent/guardian prior to enrollment or disenrollment from independent study. (Education Code 51745.5, 51747, 51749.5) 

Monitoring Student Progress

The independent study administrator and/or supervising teacher shall promptly and directly address any failure by the student to meet the terms of his/her written agreement. 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 and the independent study administrator, including the parent/guardian if appropriate
    
4. An increase in the amount of time the student works under direct supervision

When the student has missed the number of assignments specified in the written agreement as requiring an evaluation, the Superintendent or designee shall conduct an evaluation to determine

whether or not independent study is appropriate for the student. This evaluation may result in termination of the independent study agreement and the student's return to the regular classroom program or other alternative program.

A written record of the findings of any such evaluation 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)

Independent study students who are late, miss scheduled conferences, or do not submit assigned work on time shall not be reported as tardy or truant.

Responsibilities of Independent Study Administrator

The responsibilities of the independent study administrator include, but are not limited to:

1. Recommending certificated staff to be assigned as independent study teachers and supervising staff assigned to independent study functions who are not regularly supervised by another administrator
    
2. Approving or denying the participation of students requesting independent study
    
3. Facilitating the completion of written independent study agreements

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                           AR6158(j)

4. Ensuring a smooth transition for students into and out of the independent study mode of instruction
    
5. Approving all credits earned through independent study
    
6. Completing or coordinating the preparation of all records and reports required by law, Board policy, or administrative regulation

Assignment and Responsibilities of Independent Study Teachers

Each student's independent study shall be coordinated, evaluated, and carried out under the general supervision of a certificated employee who consents to the assignment. (Education Code 44865, 51747.5; 5 CCR 11700)

The ratio of student average daily attendance for independent study students age 18 years or younger to full-time equivalent certificated employees responsible for independent study shall not exceed the equivalent ratio for all other education programs in the district, unless a new higher or lower ratio for all other educational programs offered is negotiated in a collective bargaining agreement or the

district enters into a memorandum of understanding that indicates an existing collective bargaining agreement contains an alternative ratio. (Education Code 51745.6)

The responsibilities of the supervising teacher shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Completing designated portions of the written independent study agreement
    
2. Supervising and approving coursework and assignments
    
3. Maintaining records of student assignments showing the date the assignment is given and the date the assignment is due
    
4. Maintaining a daily or hourly attendance register in accordance with item #4 in the section on "Records" below
    
5. Providing direct instruction and counsel as necessary for individual student success
    
6. Regularly meeting with the student to discuss the student's progress
    
7. Determining the time value of assigned work or work products completed and submitted by the student
    
8. Assessing student work and assigning grades or other approved measures of achievement

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                         AR6158(k)

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that independent study teachers have access to professional development and support comparable to classroom-based teachers.

Records

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that records are maintained for audit purposes. These records shall include, but not be limited to: (Education Code 51748; 5 CCR 11703)

1. A copy of the Board policy, administrative regulation, and other procedures related to independent study
    
2. A listing of the students, by grade level, program, and school, who have participated in independent study, along with the units of the curriculum attempted and completed by students in grades K-8 and the course credits attempted by and awarded to students in grades 9-12 and adult education
    
3. A file of all agreements, with representative samples of each student's work products bearing the supervising teacher's 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. As appropriate to the program in which the students are participating, a daily or hourly attendance register that is separate from classroom attendance records, maintained on a current basis as time values of student work products 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.

The signed, dated agreement, any supplemental agreement, assignment records, work samples, and attendance records assessing time value of work or evidence that an instructional activity occurred may be maintained on file electronically. (Education Code 51747)

For purposes of this regulation, an electronic file includes a computer or electronic stored image of an original document, including, but not limited to, portable document format (PDF), JPEG, or other digital image file type, that may be sent via fax machine, email, or other electronic means.

Written agreements may be signed using an electronic signature that complies with state and federal standards, as determined by the department, that may be a marking that is

either computer generated or produced by electronic means and is intended by the signatory to have the same effect as a handwritten signature. The use of an electronic signature shall have the same force and effect as the use of a manual signature if the requirements for digital signatures and their

INDEPENDENT STUDY (continued)                                                            AR6158(l)

acceptable technology, as provided in Section 16.5 of the Government Code and in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22000) of Division 7 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations, are satisfied.

Original Adopted Date: 06/13/2019                                   IMPERIAL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Last Revised Date: 08/10/2021                                                              Imperial, CA