AR 6158

Instruction

 

Adult Education Independent Study

 

Educational Opportunities

 

Educational opportunities offered through independent study include, but are not limited to: (Education Code 51745)

 

1.         Individualized alternative education designed to teach the knowledge and skills of the core curriculum

 

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, thus enabling students participating in independent study to complete the district's adopted course of study.  Students in independent study shall have access to the same services and resources that are available to other students in the school. (5 CCR 11701.5)

 

Eligibility for Adult Education Independent Study

 

A student's participation in independent study shall be voluntary.  (Education Code 51747)

 

Criteria for Participation

 

Students who are interested in independent study should contact their school principal.  Approval for participation shall be based on the following criteria:

 

1.         18 years and older.  Minors are subject to compulsory attendance laws and must be enrolled in a school in the K-12 system. (Education Code        48200)

           

            a.         Exceptions:  Minors who are pregnant or actively parenting their child(ren) (Education Code 52610.5), high school students who                       are eligible for enrollment in adult education programs and emancipated minors (Education Code 52500.1 and 48410).

 

2.         Evidence that the student will work independently to complete the program.

 

3.         Availability of experienced certificated staff with adequate time to supervise the student effectively.

 

Written Semester Agreements

 

A written agreement shall be developed for each student participating in independent study.  (Education Code 46300, 51747)

 

The written independent study agreement for each participating student shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:  (Education Code 51747)

 

1.         The manner, frequency, time and place for submitting the student's assignments and for reporting his/her 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, including materials and personnel, that will be made available to the student

 

4.         The Board's independent study policy describing the maximum length of time allowed between an assignment and its completion 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 semester

 

6.         A statement of the number of course credits to be earned by the student upon completion

 

7.         A statement that independent study is an optional educational alternative in which no student may be required to participate

 

Before beginning the independent study, each written agreement shall be signed and dated by the student the certificated employee designated as responsible for the general supervision of independent study, and all persons who have direct responsibility for providing assistance to the student.  (Education Code 51747)

 

Student Rights and Responsibilities

 

When the student has missed the number of assignments specified in Board policy and the written independent study agreement as precipitating an evaluation, the Superintendent or designee shall conduct an evaluation which may result in termination of the independent study agreement.

 

Administration of Independent Study

 

Each student's independent study shall be coordinated, evaluated and carried out under the general supervision of a certificated employee.  (Education Code 51747.5)

 

Supervising Teachers

 

The ratio of students to full-time equivalent certificated employees responsible for independent study shall not exceed the equivalent ratio for all other education programs in the district.

 

The teacher supervising independent study shall:

 

1.         Complete designated portions of the written independent study agreement and add additional information to the written agreement          when appropriate

 

2.         Supervise and approve coursework

 

3.         Design all lesson plans and assignments

 

4.         Assess all student work and determine and assign grades or other approved measures of achievement

 

5.         Personally judge the time value of assigned work or work products completed and submitted by the student

 

6.         Save with each agreement the student's completed and evaluated assignments signed or initialed and dated in accordance with item #3       in the section on "Records" below

 

7.         Sign and complete the agreement when the student has reached his/her objectives or the agreement is terminated

 

8.         Maintain a daily or hourly attendance register in accordance with item #4 in the section on "Records" below

 

9.         Maintain any other required records and files on a current basis

 

Records

 

For audit purposes, the Superintendent or designee shall maintain the following records:  (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 who have participated in independent study, identifying units of the curriculum attempted and units of the    curriculum completed by students as specified in their written assignments.

 

3.         A file of all agreements, with the adult education student's work products bearing the supervising teacher's signed or initialed and dated      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.         With the completion of the annual audit and/or after the student graduates, folders will be pared down.  Each student folder placed in          storage will include representative samples of student work from the beginning, middle and end of a contract (subject).  A “representative    sample” is made up of the student’s entire work product from the selected week.  Whether or not there is work attached, all assignment             sheets must be saved.

 

5.         A written evaluation of a student who drops the program shall be kept in the student’s record for three years.

 

6.         Hourly attendance register

 

Supportive Strategies

 

1.         When an independent study student fails to attend a scheduled appointment or to submit an assignment on time, a letter is sent.

 

2.         If the student does not respond or attend the next appointment, the student is sent a letter warning that the student is in danger of being     dropped.

 

3.         An evaluation meeting between the student and the teacher and/or counselor is then scheduled.

 

4.         In addition to the regular appointment, the student will work under direct supervision in the ISP classroom.

 

Adopted:  11/9/94

Revised:  10/13/99; 6/14/06