P8178
Instruction
Independent Study
The Board of Education authorizes the offering of individualized independent study options for its students in grades K-12 under the terms specified in this Policy and R8178. These options are offered in order to meet the educational needs of pupils in a variety of circumstances. Individualized independent study programs allows K-12 students to complete academic requirements during an absence, to extend the content of regular courses of instruction, to provide an alternative means to learn the knowledge and skills of the core curriculum, and to acquire skills or educational experiences which cannot be acquired in the regular program. Independent study may be in addition to the regular program under certain circumstances.
A prior request for homework for instructional assignments for an absence of less than five consecutive days may be available from the student’s teacher(s). A short-term independent study option may be approved to accommodate a pupil who will be absent from school for from five to ten consecutive days. A long-term independent study option may be requested as an alternative program of study for a period from eleven days to a complete semester or half a year for a school on a year round calendar. A leave of absence for pupils age fifteen or over may be taken for a semester or more under terms and conditions specified in this policy and Administrative Regulation R8178.
The District’s independent study options do not preclude a student from returning to school at any time during the absence. Further, students in independent study shall have access to the same support services and resources as are available to other students in the school.
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. Therefore, independent study may be offered only to students who can achieve in their individualized program as well as or better than they would in the regular classroom. A Principal or designee shall determine that the prospective independent study student understands and is prepared to meet the District’s requirements for independent study and ensure that a written independent study agreement, as prescribed by law, exists for each participating student.
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P8178
Instruction
Independent Study (continued)
Teachers should carefully set the duration of independent study assignments within the limits specified by the Board in this Policy. Teachers should identify students who might benefit from independent study options, who accept responsibility, and who are falling behind in their work, are in danger of failing, are capable and desire to experience more of the course content, or in the case of long term independent study, students at risk for dropping out of school.
Work assigned as part of a short term Independent Study Agreement, as defined by R8178, must be completed and turned in by the due date stated on the Independent Study Agreement form. To ensure each student’s success in independent study, the Board of Education establishes the following maximum lengths of time during the period covered by the independent study agreement which may elapse between the time an assignment is given and the date by which the student must complete the assigned work:
1. For students in grades K-3 10 instructional days
2. For students in grades 4-8 10 instructional days
3. For students in grades 9-12 10 instructional days
When the circumstances such as intercession, winter recess, or spring recess justify a longer period of time, the principal or designee may extend the maximum length of an assignment to a period not to exceed eight (8) weeks, pursuant to a written request which includes the justification for the delay.
In the long term independent study program, when any student fails to complete two (2) consecutive independent study assignments, the principal 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.
The Superintendent or designee shall encourage parents/guardians of K-8 students authorized to teach their children at home to also enroll their children in independent study. Such enrollment will require continued contact and cooperation between the school system and the Learning Center for the home-based student.
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P8178
Instruction
Independent Study (continued)
Reference: California Education Code
17289 Exemption for building
44865 Qualifications for home teachers and teachers in special classes and schools; consent to assignment
46300-46300.7 Methods of computing ADA
48220 Classes of children exempted
48232 Leave of absence by pupil of age 15
48340 Improvement of pupil attendance
48915 Expulsion; particular circumstances
48917 Suspension of expulsion order
51225.3 Requirements for high school graduation
51745-51749.3 Independent study programs
52001 Improvement of elementary and secondary education; legislative intent
52015 School improvement plans: components of plan
52017 Secondary schools: additional plan components
56026 Individual with exceptional needs
Family Code
6550 Authorization affidavits
California Code of Regulations, Title 5
11700-11703 Independent Study Programs
Lompoc Unified School District
Adopted by Board of Education: February 26, 1980
Revised: March 24, 1992; October 10, 1995, January 21, 2003 Page 3 of 3