Independent Study
Please Note: Parents must submit a completed Independent Study Contract Application to their site administrator no less than 10 consecutive school days before the first day of their requested leave.
The CUSD Governing Board authorizes independent study as an optional alternative instructional strategy for students whose needs may be best met through study outside of the regular classroom setting. Independent study shall offer a means of individualizing the educational plan to serve students who desire a more challenging educational experience, whose health or other personal circumstances make classroom attendance difficult, who are unable to access course(s) due to scheduling problems, and/or who need to make up credits or fill gaps in their learning. Independent Study shall be offered to any student impacted by any of the conditions listed in (EC) Section 46392 within 10 days of the first day of the school closure or material decrease in attendance, including Fire, Flood, Impassible Roads, Epidemic, Earthquake, the imminence of a major safety hazard as determined by the local law enforcement agency, a strike involving transportation services to pupils provided by a non-school entity, and an order provided for in Section 41422. Students with exceptional attendance needs shall receive the services identified in their individualized education plan/program pursuant to EC Section 56345 (a) (9) and may participate in an Independent Study Program. Independent Study for each student shall be under the general supervision of a district employee who possesses a valid certification document pursuant to Education Code 44865 or an emergency credential pursuant to Education Code 44300. Students' Independent Study shall be coordinated, evaluated, and documented, as prescribed by law and reflected in the accompanying administrative regulation. (Education Code 51747.5) (Education Code 51745)
For the 2022-23 school year and thereafter, the Superintendent or designee may offer and approve independent study for an individual student upon determining that the student is prepared to meet the district's requirements for independent study and is likely to succeed in independent study as well as or better than the student would in the regular classroom setting. The minimum instructional minutes for students participating in independent study shall be the same as required for their peers at the school who are receiving in-person instruction, except as otherwise permitted by law (Education Code46100). Because excessive leniency in the duration of independent study assignments may result in a student falling behind peers and increase the risk of dropping out of school, Independent Study assignments shall be completed no more than one week after assigned for all grade levels and types of programs. An evaluation shall be conducted to determine whether it is in a student's best interest to remain in independent study whenever the student fails to make satisfactory educational progress and/or misses three assignments.
Satisfactory educational progress shall be determined based on all of the following indicators: (Education Code 51747)
1. The student's achievement and engagement in the Independent Study program, as indicated by the student's performance on applicable student-level measures of student achievement and engagement specified in Education Code 52060
2. The completion of assignments, assessments, or other indicators that evidence that the student is working on Board Policy Manual Carmel Unified School District assignments
3. Learning of required concepts, as determined by the supervising teacher
4. Progress towards successful completion of the course of study or individual course, as determined by the supervising teacher
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that students participating in Independent Study are provided with content aligned to grade level standards at a level of quality and intellectual challenge substantially equivalent to in- person instruction. 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. (Education Code 51747) The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that students participating in Independent Study for 15 school days.
The Independent Study Agreement for each participating student also shall include, but are not 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, 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, the level of satisfactory educational progress, 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, with a maximum of one school year
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 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 suspended or expelled 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.
Written agreements may be signed using an electronic signature that complies with state and federal standards, as determined by the California Department of Education (CDE). (Education Code 51747) The parent/guardian's signature on the agreement shall constitute permission for the student to receive instruction through independent study. Student-Parent-Educator Conferences A student-parent-educator conference shall be held as appropriate including, but not limited to, as 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) Records The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that records are maintained for audit purposes.