Independent Study Modalities

The independent study program was first enacted in 1976. The original and most utilized model of instruction is known as traditional independent study and was designed to serve child actors, aspiring Olympic athletes, and other students whose schedules precluded regular classroom attendance.

Commencing with the 2015–16 school year, course-based independent study (CBIS) was enacted by the legislature as an additional independent study modality that LEAs may utilize to serve the growing numbers of students and families interested in a learning environment offering a high degree of flexibility and individualization.

Traditional Independent Study

Traditional independent study is governed by California Education Code (EC) sections 51744–51747.5 . Requirements unique to traditional independent study include:

• Attendance is earned based on the time value of assignments as judged by the certificated teacher employed by the LEA, or the combined time value of student assignments and student participation in synchronous instruction. EC Section 5147.5(b)(1)
  
  
• LEAs shall document each student’s participation in live interaction and synchronous instruction, as applicable, depending on grade level. EC Section 51747.5(c)
  
  
• LEAs determine the level of satisfactory educational progress and the number of missed assignments that will be allowed before an evaluation is conducted to determine whether it is in the best interests of the student to remain in independent study, or whether the student should return to the regular school program. EC Section 51747(b)(1)
  
  
• Procedures for tiered reengagement strategies for:

1. All students who are not generating attendance for more than 10 percent of required minimum instructional time over four continuous weeks of a LEA’s approved instructional calendar (EC Section 51747[d] );
   
   
2. Students found nonparticipatory pursuant to EC Section 51747.5 for more than 50 percent of the scheduled times of synchronous instruction in a school month, as applicable (EC Section 51747[d] ); or
   
   
3. Students who are otherwise in violation of the independent study agreement. EC Section 51747(d)

• Notification to parents or guardians of lack of participation within one schoolday of the recording of a non-attendance day or lack of participation. EC Section 51747(d)(2)

Course-based Independent Study

CBIS is governed by EC sections 51749.5–51749.6 . The following requirements are unique to this modality:

• Attendance credit is based on enrollment and satisfactory educational progress in courses annually, certified by the LEA governing board or body resolution per EC Section 51749.5(a)(4)(B) . Certification shall include:

1. The duration of the course;
2. Number of equivalent daily instructional minutes for each schoolday that a student is enrolled;
3. Number of equivalent total instructional minutes;
4. Number of course credits for each course; and
5. A plan to provide opportunities for live interaction and synchronous instruction, as applicable.

• If satisfactory educational progress in one or more courses is not being made, certificated employees providing the instruction shall notify the student, the student’s parent or legal guardian, and conduct an evaluation to determine whether it is in the best interest of the student to remain in the course(s) or whether the student should be referred to an alternative program. EC Section 51749.5(a)(8)(B)
  
  
• Procedures for tiered reengagement strategies for all students who are not making satisfactory educational progress in one or more courses, or who are in violation of the written agreement. EC Section 51749.5(a)(8)(C)
  
  
• A proctor shall administer exams. EC Section 51749.5(a)(10)
  
  
• Reporting of statewide testing results of students enrolled in CBIS, assigned to the school or charter school at which the student is enrolled, and to any school district, charter school, or county office of education within which that school’s or charter school’s testing results are aggregated. EC Section 51749.5(a)(11)(A)
  
  
• Statewide testing results for students enrolled in CBIS shall be disaggregated for purposes of comparing the testing results of those students to the testing results of students enrolled in classroom-based courses. EC Section 51749.5(a)(11)(B)
  
  
• In addition to the duration of the learning agreement, the agreement shall also include the duration of the enrolled course(s) and the number of course credits for each enrolled course consistent with the adopted certifications. EC Section 51749.6(a)(2)
  
  
• Courses are taught under the general supervision of certificated employees of the LEA at which the student is enrolled, or by a LEA that has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide instruction in coordination with the LEA of enrollment. EC Section 51749.5(a)(3)

Clarification of teacher requirement: There is no distinction in certification requirements between teachers engaged in traditional independent study and CBIS. Both require the appropriate credential pursuant to EC sections 44300 , 44865 , or 47605(l)(1) , as applicable. Teachers shall be employees of the LEA at which the student is enrolled, except for CBIS, as provided in the unique elements above, the LEA of enrollment may enter into a MOU with another LEA to provide the instruction. For a–g approved coursework, students should have at least weekly access to a teacher who is a subject expert teacher in that subject area. For more information, refer to the Non-classroom Based/Independent Study Schools section on the University of California, A-G Policy Resource Guide’s Register Your Institution: Schools web page.

For differences in ratio requirements in traditional and course-based independent study, visit the California Department of Education’s Instructional Time and Attendance Accounting web page, or send an email to attendanceaccounting@cde.ca.gov.