Rowland Unified School District Governing Board Policy:The 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 and enabling students to reach curriculum objectives and fulfill graduation requirements. As necessary to meet students needs, Independent Study may be offered on a full-time basis or on a part-time basis in conjunction with part- or full time classroom study -BP 6158(a).
The Superintendent or designee shall approve Independent Study for an individual student only 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, he/she would in the regular classroom -BP 6158(a). Eligibility*Student must be enrolled in one of the district high schools concurrent to participating in the Independent Study program (EC 51748), 5 CCR11703(b)(2)
*Student's participation in Independent Study is voluntary. -EC 51747(c)(7) *Evidence that the student will work independently to complete the program - AR6158(b). *The student is referred to the program by the school in which they are enrolled. Interested students/parents should contact their counselor at the school they are enrolled in for more information and/or a referral to the program - AR6158(b). |
Home-Based Independent StudyThe Superintendent or designee shall encourage parents/guardians desiring to teach their children at home to have their children participate in Independent Study. Such participation allows continued contact and cooperation between the school system and the home-based student - BP 6158(b).
The Independent Study student works from home . His/Her home is the classroom. Students attend two appointments each week at the agreed upon days and times. During these appointments, the student will meet with his/her IS Supervisor who will monitor the student's progress, evaluate work quality, assign grades as a measure of achievement for completed work, give assignments, assessments, and support (EC 51747.5) , 5 CCR11700(b) . For attendance purposes, all work must be completed by the assignment sheet due date. Late work does not satisfy the attendance requirements. Completed work = attended days. (20 hours worth of work = 5 days attendance). Incomplete work = non-attendance days. The parent/caregiver and/or activity supervisor agree(s) to supervise the student in pursuit of independent study activities for no less than 20 Hours Per Week. The parent/caregiver and/or activity supervisor further agree(s) to cooperate and work in conjunction with the Independent Study Supervisor to provide a meaningful education program for the student. EquivalencyThe 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 within the
customary time frame. Students in Independent Study shall have equal rights and privileges and access to the same services and resources that are available to other students in the school in which the Independent Study student is enrolled. (EC51746) 5 CCR 11701.5(c), 5 CCR 11700(i) and 11701.5(b) Students participating in Independent Study shall have the right, continuously, to enter or return to the regular classroom mode of instruction, including upon termination of the Agreement - AR 6158(d); 5 CCR 11700(i); 5 CCR 11701.5; EC 51747(c)(7) |