Short-term-Less than 15 school days

Number of Days:

• 14 consecutive school days or less

  • The minimum period is 3 days (EC 46300 (e)(1)

Notification by parents/Guardians:

• Parents need to notify the principal 10 school/business days prior to their child’s independent study start date.

• Parent/Admin conference to discuss short term independent study need 

Terms:  

• If students do not return back to in-person instruction on the return date of Independent Study, then the student absences will be unexcused leading to truancy.

Reasons:

• Illness:  LEA shall obtain evidence from appropriate licensed professional for participation in Independent Study (i.e. doctor’s note)

• Emergency

• Travel Study

• Military families 

Eligibility:  Approved if students show:

• Motivation, commitment, organizational skills and academic skills necessary to work independently

  • Students with good attendance and behavior

• Parent commitment to assist students with their work

Assignment/Work Study Due Dates:  

• Assignments are due on return date on Master Agreement  (Assignments returned after the Due Date, academic credit may be given, but no credit will be awarded for attendance)

Written Agreement 

• Signed before the start of Independent Study by the student’s parents, caregiver, designated certificated employee for general and administrator/designee.  

Special Education

• An amendment signed by the IEP team that indicates student participation in short-term independent studies. 

• Documentation of the IS for SPED students who go on short term IS: 

  • Step 1:  Program Specialist, Principal (elementary) or Learning Coordinator @ Secondary, Case Manager and Parent have a quick meeting about the request for short-term IS and determine whether a student's IS is approved.

Links to Request Forms

Elementary ST Request Form (English)

Elementary ST Request Form (Spanish)

Secondary ST Request Form(English)

Secondary ST Request Form(Spanish)

Long-term-15 or more school days

Number of Days:

• 15 or more consecutive school days

• Exceptions can be made to extend the due date of the assignment from the date it was made based on specific circumstances.  

• No more than one academic school year   

Notification by parents/Guardians:

Parents need to notify the principal 10 school/business days prior to their child’s independent study start date.

Parent/Admin conference to discuss short term independent study need 

Student-Parent-Educator Conference

• Before signing the written agreement, the parent has a right to request a telephone, video, or in person conference to seek answers related to IS options, curriculum offerings, decision to enroll or disenroll from IS. (EC 51745.5; 51747(h)(2); 51749.5

Reasons:

• Medical Illness/Injury

• Safety Reasons

• Family Hardship

• Pregnancy/Teen Parent

• Special Circumstances

• Employment

Opportunities for live interaction and/or synchronous instruction, tiered re-engagement, and transition to in-person

• K-3 grades:  daily synchronous instruction (Classroom style instruction, small group or one-on-one  instruction delivered in person or via internet connection, or telephone communication-up to an hour) EC 514747.5

  • While the teacher is teaching to the whole class, they broadcast their teaching via Google Meet with the long term IS student

  • Paraprofessional is assigned to the long term IS student.  

• 4-8 grades:  daily live and at least weekly synchronous instruction 

• 9-12 grades:  weekly synchronous instruction 

Eligibility:  Approved if students show:

• Motivation, commitment, organizational skills and academic skills necessary to work independently

• Parent commitment to assist students with their work

• Students who are not at grade level may participate ONLY if appropriate support can be provided such as:  supplemental instruction, tutoring, counseling, on-going diagnostic assessments, and/or differentiated materials to enable the student to be successful. 

Assignment/Work Study Due Dates:  

• no more than one week may elapse between the date an assignment is made by the teacher and the date is due.

Written Agreement

• Signed within the 10 school days from the first day of student starting in IS by the student’s parents, caregiver, designated certificated employee for general and administrator/designee

Determination of IS Placement:

• Three missing assignments

• Meet weekly with their supervising teacher

  • If a student misses more than 2 appointments, conduct an evaluation to determine whether IS is appropriate for the students. 

  • If  evaluation results in termination, the student returns to the regular classroom or alternative program and a written record of such evaluation will stay in their records for 3 years.

Special Education IS Participation:

• The IEP team must agree that Special Education students can participate in Independent Study.

  • IEP must be approved PRIOR to IS start date

  • If the IEP team agrees, the case manager shall provide services