Independent Study

San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education

Board Policy 6158

Independent Study

 

This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.

 

The Board of Education authorizes Independent Study as an optional alternative instructional strategy by which students may reach curriculum objectives and fulfill graduation requirements. Independent Study shall offer a means of individualizing the educational plan for students whose needs may be best met through study outside the regular classroom setting.

 

A student’s participation in independent study shall be voluntary. Students participating in independent study shall have the right, at any time, to enter or return to the regular classroom mode of instruction.  (Education Code 51747; 5 CCR 11700)

 

1. TYPES OF INDEPENDENT STUDY
    

1. Independence High School: The District provides a regularly scheduled independent study program for high school aged students at Independence High School.
    
2. Short-term Independent Study: Independent study may also be undertaken at a student’s regular K-12 school site under the supervision of their regularly assigned teacher when a student’s particular circumstances require them to participate in independent study for a limited period of time. Short-term independent study will not be provided for a period longer than 14 school days . The circumstances that may warrant participation in short term independent study include:

 

1. A temporary disability or illness that prevents the student from attending school for a limited period of time. Temporarily disabled students may receive individual instruction as required by Education Code Section 48206.3. However, upon mutual agreement between the pupil’s parent, guardian, or caregiver and the District, the pupil may participate in independent study instead of receiving individual instruction pursuant to E.C. 48206.3.
    
2. A death in the family or other family emergency that requires the student to travel.
    
3. Students who are required by health order to isolate or quarantine, or who wish to engage in a short term preventative quarantine from school based on concerns that in person instruction will put their health at risk due to a current surge in COVID cases, as determined by the parent/guardian.
    
4. 

 

3. Emergency Independent Study: Independent study for impacted students to be offered within 10 days of a school closure due to fire, floor, impassable roads, epidemic, earthquake, imminent safety hazard as determined by local law enforcement, transportation strike, or emergency created by war/extraordinary circumstances order. (EC 46393, 41422). The independent study standards in Section II (5), (6), (7) below do not apply to emergency independent study. (EC 46393(b)).
    
4.  

 

2. STANDARDS FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY
    
   1. Maximum Time to Complete Work:  To foster each student’s success in Independent Study, the Board establishes the following maximum lengths of time which may elapse between the time an assignment is made and date by which the student must complete the assigned work:

 

1. For students in grades K-3: 1 week
    
2. For students in grades 4-8: 2 weeks
    
3. For students in grades 9-12: 3 weeks

When special or extenuating circumstances justify a longer time, the Superintendent or designee may extend the maximum length of an assignment to a period not to exceed eight weeks, pursuant to a written request with justification. (EC 51747(a))

 

2. Satisfactory Educational Progress: Students who are not making satisfactory educational progress will be evaluated to determine whether it is in the student’s best interest to remain in Independent Study, or whether the student should return to the regular school program. Evaluation findings will be mandatory interim pupil record that is maintained for three years from the evaluation date and forwarded to other California schools upon transfer. (51747(b))(1))Satisfactory educational progress shall be determined based on all of the following indicators:

 

1. The pupil’s achievement and engagement in the independent study program, as indicated by the pupil’s performance on applicable pupil-level measures of pupil achievement and pupil engagement (See EC 52060(d)(4),(5)).
    
2. The completion of assignments, assessments, or other indicators that evidence that the pupil is working on assignments.
    
3. Learning required concepts, as determined by the supervising teacher.
    
4. Progressing towards successful completion of the course of study or individual course, as determined by the supervising teacher. (EC 51747(b)(2)).

 

3. Missed Assignments: After three missed assignments, an evaluation will be conducted to determine whether it is in the student’s best interest to remain in Independent Study, or whether the student should return to the regular school program.  Evaluation findings will be a mandatory interim pupil record that is maintained for three years from the evaluation date and forwarded to other California schools upon transfer.(51747(b)(1))
    
4. Equivalent Quality and Challenge: Independent study content is aligned to grade level standards and provided at a level of quality and intellectual challenge substantially equivalent to in-person instruction. For high schools, this includes access to all courses offered for graduation and approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the A-G admission criteria. (EC 51747(c)).
    
5. Tiered reengagement strategies: The following procedures will be provided for pupils who participate in Independent Study 15 school days or more and who:
    

 

1. Are not generating attendance for more than 10 percent of required minimum instructional time over four continuous weeks of the instructional calendar,
    
2. Are found not participatory in synchronous instructional offerings for more than 5 percent of the scheduled times of synchronous instruction in a school month as applicable by grade span, or
    
3. Are in violation of the written independent study agreement
    
4. These procedures shall include local programs intended to address chronic absenteeism, as applicable, with at least all of the following:

 

1. Verification of current contact information for each enrolled pupil.
    
2. Notification to parents or guardians of lack of participation within one school date of the recording of a non-attendance day or lack of participation.
    
3. A plan for outreach from the school to determine pupil needs, including connection with health and social services as necessary.
    
4. A pupil-parent-educator conference to review a pupil’s written agreement, and reconsider the independent study program’s impact on the pupil’s achievement and well-being, when the student is not making satisfactory educational progress or has missed 3 assignments as outlined in this section. (EC 51747(d)).

 

6. Instructional Requirements: The following live interaction or synchronous instruction opportunities will be provided throughout the school year for students who participate in Independent Study 15 school days or more:

 

1. Students in transitional kindergarten and grades 1 to 3 will have opportunities for daily synchronous instruction.
    
2. Students in grades 4 to 8 will have opportunities for both daily live interaction and at least weekly synchronous instruction.
    
3. Students in grades 9 to 12 will have opportunities for at least weekly synchronous instruction. (EC 51747(e)).
    

7. Return to In-Person Instruction: Students whose families wish to return to in-person instruction from independent study will be returned expeditiously, and no later that within five instructional days. (EC 51747(f)). This requirement only applies to students who participate in Independent Study 15 school days or more.
    
8. Suspended/Expelled Students: 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.
    
9. Course Credits or Other Measures of Academic Achievement:

1. At the elementary level, 20 hours of work completed will yield 5 days of classroom attendance.
    
2. In secondary schools that provide 6 one-hour class periods each day, 30 hours of acceptable school work is required for one (1) week of ADA and cumulative academic credit for regular school programs.
    
3. In secondary schools that provide 7 one-hour class periods each day, 35 hours of acceptable school work is required for one (1) week of ADA and cumulative academic credit for regular school programs.
    
4. At Independence High School, 35 hours of acceptable schoolwork is required for one (1) week of ADA and cumulative academic credit.

 

10. Exceptions to Requirements for Short Term Independent Study:  The Independent Study requirements above related to Tired Reengagement Strategies; Live Interaction and Synchronous Instruction; and Return to In-Person Instruction (Sections II, (5), (6) and (7) above) shall not apply to students that participate in an Independent Study program for fewer than 15 schooldays in a school year, or to students enrolled in a comprehensive school for classroom-based instruction who, under the care of appropriately licensed professionals, participate in independent study due to necessary medical treatments or inpatient treatment for mental health care or substance abuse. (EC 51747(i))
     
11. Students with IEPs: An individual with exceptional needs may participate in independent study, if the pupil’s individualized education program specifically provides for that participation. If a parent or guardian of an individual with exceptional needs requests independent study pursuant to EC 51747(a)(5)(parent health concerns related to in person instruction), the pupil’s individualized education program team shall make an individualized determination as to whether the pupil can receive a free appropriate public education in an independent study placement. A pupil’s inability to work independently, the pupil’s need for adult support, or the pupil’s need for special education or related services shall not preclude the individualized education program team from determining that the pupil can receive a free appropriate education in an independent study placement. (EC 51745(c)).
     
12. Supervision: 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. Student’s independent study shall be coordinated, evaluated, and documented, as prescribed by law and reflected in administrative regulation. (Education Code 51747.5)

    The Board shall hold a public hearing when considering the scope of its existing or prospective use of independent study as an instructional strategy, its purposes in authorizing independent study, and factors bearing specifically on the maximum realistic lengths of assignments and acceptable number of missed assignments for specific populations of students or adult education students. (5 CCR 11701)

     

3. INDEPENDENT STUDY AGREEMENTS (EC 51747(g)).

 

1. Content for Written Agreements: A current written agreement for each Independent Study pupil shall be maintained on file that includes the following:
    

1. The manner, time, frequency and place for submitting a pupil’s assignments for reporting their academic progress, and for communicating with their parent/guardian regarding their academic progress.
    
2. The objectives and methods of study for the pupils work, and the methods used to evaluate that work.
    
3. The specific resources, including materials and personnel, which will be made available to the pupil. These resources shall include confirming or providing access to all pupils to the connectivity and devices adequate to participate in the educational program and complete assigned work
    
4. A statement of the Board’s policy regarding the maximum length of time allowed between the assignment and the completion of a pupil’s assigned work; the level of satisfactory educational progress; and number of missed assignments allowed before an evaluation of whether or not the pupil should be allowed to continue Independent Study.
    
5. The duration of the Independent Study agreement, including the beginning and ending dates for the pupil’s participation in Independent Study under the agreement. No Independent Study agreement shall be valid for any longer period than one school year. The minimum period of time for any independent study option shall be three consecutive school days. (Education Code 46300(e)(1)).
    
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 pupil upon completion.
    
7. The inclusion of a statement in each Independent Study agreement that Independent Study is an optional education alternative in which no pupil may be required to participate. In the case of a pupil who is referred or assigned to any school, class, or program pursuant to Education Code Section 48915 or 48917, the agreement also shall include the statement that instruction may be provided to the pupil through Independent Study only if the pupil is offered the alternative of classroom instruction.
    
8. A statement detailing the academic and other supports that will be provided to address the needs of pupils who are not performing at grade level, or need support in other areas, such as English learners, individuals with exceptional needs in order to be consistent with the pupil’s individualized education program or plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and pupils requiring mental health supports.
    

2. Signatures on Written Agreement

   For a pupil participating in an independent study program that is scheduled for more than 14 school days, each written agreement shall be signed, before the commencement of independent study, by the pupil, the pupil’s parent, legal guardian, or caregiver, if the pupil is less than 18 years of age, the certificated employee who has been designated as having responsibility for the general supervision of independent study, and the certificated employee designated as having responsibility for the special education programming of the pupil, as applicable.

   Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, for a pupil participating in an independent study program that is scheduled for less than 15 days, each written agreement shall be signed within 10 school days of the commencement of the first day of the pupil’s enrollment in independent study, by the pupil, the pupil’s parent, legal guardian, or caregiver, if the pupil is less than 18 years of age, the certificated employee who has been designated as having responsibility for the general supervision of independent study, and the certificated employee designated as having responsibility for the special education programming of the pupil, as applicable. For purposes of this paragraph “caregiver” means a person who has met the requirements of Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 6550) of Division 11 of the Family Code.

   Written agreements may be signed using an electronic signature that complies with state and federal standards, as determined by CDE, that may be a marking that is either computer generated or produced by electronic means and is intended by the signatory to have the same effect as a handwritten signature. The use of an electronic signature shall have the same force and effect as the use of a manual signature if the requirements for digital signatures and their acceptable technology are satisfied.

   Before signing a written agreement, the parent or guardian of a pupil may request a telephone, videoconferencing, or in-person pupil-parent-educator conference or other school meeting during which the pupil, parent or guardian, and, if requested by the pupil or parent, an education advocate, may ask questions about the educational options, including which curriculum offerings and nonacademic supports will be available to the pupil in independent study, before making the decision about enrollment or disnrollment in the various options for learning.
   ​​

 

4. RECORDS

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that records are maintained for audit purposes.

 

These records shall include, but not be limited to: (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, by grade level, program, and school, who have participated in independent study, along with the units of the curriculum attempted and completed by students in grades K-8 and the course credits attempted by and awarded to students in grades 9-12 and adult education
    
3. A file of all agreements, with representative samples of each student’s work products bearing the supervising teacher’s notations indicating that the teacher has personally evaluated the work or personally reviewed the evaluations made by another certificated teacher
    
4. As appropriate to the program in which the students are participating, a daily or hourly attendance register that is separate from classroom attendance records, maintained on a current basis as time values of student work products judged by a certificated teacher, and reviewed by the supervising teacher if they are two different persons
    
5. Appropriate documentation of compliance with the teacher-student ratios required by Education Code51745.6 (Education Code 51745.6)
    
6. Appropriate documentation of compliance with the requirements pursuant to Education Code 51747.5 to ensure the coordination, evaluation, and supervision of the independent study of each student by a district employee who possesses a valid certification document pursuant to Education Code 44865 or an emergency credential pursuant to Education Code 44300 (Education Code 51747.5)
    

 

The District shall document each student’s participation in live interaction and synchronous instruction pursuant to Education Code 51747 on each school day, as applicable, in whole or in part, for which live interaction or synchronous instruction is provided as part of the independent study program. A student who does not participate in scheduled live interaction or synchronous instruction shall be documented as non-participatory for that school day. (Education Code 51747.5)
 

The Superintendent or designee shall also maintain a written or computer-based record such as a grade book or summary document that lists all assignments, assessments, and associated grades. (Education Code 51747.5)
 

The signed, dated agreement, any supplemental agreement, assignment records, work samples, and attendance records assessing time value of work or evidence that an instructional activity occurred may be maintained on file electronically. (Education Code 51747)

 

State    Description

5 CCR 11700-11703    Independent study

5 CCR 19819    State audit compliance

Ed. Code 17289    Exemption for facilities

Ed. Code 41976.2    Independent study programs; adult education funding

Ed. Code 42238    Revenue limits

Ed. Code 42238.05    Local control funding formula; average daily attendance

Ed. Code 44865    Qualifications for home teachers

Ed. Code 46200-46208    Incentives for longer instructional day and year

Ed. Code 46300-46307.1    Methods of computing average daily attendance

Ed. Code 47612.5    Charter schools operations, general requirements

Ed. Code 48204    Residency requirements

Ed. Code 48206.3    Home or hospital instruction; students with temporary disabilities

Ed. Code 48220    Classes of children exempted

Ed. Code 48340    Improvement of pupil attendance

Ed. Code 48915    Expulsion; particular circumstances

Ed. Code 48916.1    Educational program requirements for expelled students

Ed. Code 48917    Suspension of expulsion order

Ed. Code 49011    Student fees

Ed. Code 51225.3    Graduation requirements; courses that satisfy college entrance criteria

Ed. Code 51745-51749.6    Independent study

Ed. Code 52522    Adult education alternative instructional delivery

Ed. Code 52523    Adult education as supplement to high school curriculum; criteria

Ed. Code 56026    Individual with exceptional needs

Ed. Code 58500-58512    Alternative schools and programs of choice

Fam. Code 6550    Authorization affidavits

Federal    Description

20 USC 6301    Highly qualified teachers

Management Resources    Description

California Department of Education Publication    01-05 Guidelines for Piloting Textbooks and Instructional Materials, rev. January 2015

Court Decision    A.M. v. Albertsons, LLC, (2009) Cal.App.4th 455

Education Audit Appeals Panel Decision    Lucerne Valley Unified School District, Case No. 03-02 (2005)

Website    AASA The School Superintendents Association

Cross References

Code    Description

0410   Nondiscrimination In District Programs And Activities

0420.4   Charter School Authorization

0420.4   Charter School Authorization

0470 COVID-19 Mitigation Plan

0500   Accountability

3260   Fees And Charges

3260   Fees And Charges

3580   District Records

3580   District Records

4112.2   Certification

4112.2   Certification

4131 Staff Development

5111.1   District Residency

5111.1   District Residency

5112.3 Student Leave Of Absence

5112.3 Student Leave Of Absence

5113   Absences And Excuses

5113   Absences And Excuses

5121   Grades/Evaluation Of Student Achievement

5121   Grades/Evaluation Of Student Achievement

5125   Student Records

5125   Student Records

5126 Awards For Achievement

5126 Awards For Achievement

5144.1   Suspension And Expulsion/Due Process

5144.1   Suspension And Expulsion/Due Process

5146   Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students

5147 Dropout Prevention

6000 Concepts And Roles

6011 Academic Standards

6111 School Calendar

6112 School Day

6112 School Day

6142.4 Service Learning/Community Service Classes

6143   Courses Of Study

6143   Courses Of Study

6146.1   High School Graduation Requirements

6146.1   High School Graduation Requirements

6146.11   Alternative Credits Toward Graduation

6146.11   Alternative Credits Toward Graduation

6152   Class Assignment

6157 Distance Learning

6159   Individualized Education Program

6159   Individualized Education Program

6162.5 Student Assessment

6162.51 State Academic Achievement Tests

6162.51 State Academic Achievement Tests

6164.5   Student Success Teams

6164.5   Student Success Teams

6172 Gifted And Talented Student Program

6172 Gifted And Talented Student Program

6181 Alternative Schools/Programs Of Choice

6181 Alternative Schools/Programs Of Choice

6183 Home And Hospital Instruction

6184   Continuation Education

6184   Continuation Education

6185 Community Day School

6185 Community Day School

6200 Adult Education

6200 Adult EducationAuthority E C Section 51747History AuthorizationAdopted Resolution No. 08-12Sp1, September 30, 1980Amended Resolution No. 33-9Sp1, March 9, 1993Amended Resolution No. 310-14Sp4, (1st Reading 10/14/03) (2nd Reading 12/09/03)Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.