Guide to Independent Study

Variety of Formats

Local educational agencies (LEAs) are encouraged to offer a range of quality educational options, including classroom-based, hybrid, and nonclassroom-based programs, to better tailor instruction to pupils, thereby improving academic outcomes while maximizing enrollment. Independent study may be offered through a variety of formats (California Education Code [EC] Section 51744 ) including:

• As a program or class within a comprehensive school.
• Through an alternative school or program of choice. EC Section 58500 et seq.
• Through Charter Schools.
• Short term independent study (less than 15 total schooldays in a school year).
• Through board-approved online courses. EC sections 51749.5–51759.6 .
• As an accommodation for pupil travel.
• As specialized and/or advanced courses.
• As a credit recovery method.

Independent Study Modalities
California statute provides for two different independent study program options that LEAs may choose to administer. Most LEAs offer the traditional independent study option, authorized pursuant to EC sections 51744–51749.3 . In 2015–16, a new independent study program known as course-based independent study (CBIS) was codified in EC sections 51749.5–51749.6 . This link provides descriptive information to enhance the understanding and awareness of these different independent study instructional modalities.

Key Legal Requirements for Independent Study

Legal requirements for independent study are found in EC and the California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5 CCR). See Legal Requirements for Independent Study.

Local Board Policy

Local boards shall ensure that participation in independent study as an instructional alternative is always voluntary for the pupil. The LEAs shall establish policies as specified in EC sections 51747 and 51749.5(a)(1) , and adopted pursuant to 5 CCR Section 11701 , including:

• Maximum length of time by grade level, between the time an assignment is made and date the assignment must be completed.
  
  
• Level of satisfactory education progress and number of missed assignments before an evaluation to determine if the pupil should remain in independent study.
  
  
• Current independent study agreement for each pupil containing all required elements as provided in EC sections 51747(g) and 51749.6 , as applicable.

NOTE: Administrative Rules and Regulations may be adopted to implement independent study in accordance with California law. Other policies and procedures may also be listed in the LEA's Student Handbook.

Independent Study Agreement

EC sections 51747(g) and 51749.6

The following elements must be in each independent study agreement in alignment with the LEA's board policies and according to statute:

1. General pupil data including the name, address, grade level, school of enrollment, and program placement. EC sections 51747.3(c) , 51748 , and 46300.1
   
   
2. The beginning and end dates of the agreement. An independent study agreement shall not be valid for more than one school year. EC Section 51747(g)(5)
   
   
3. The manner, time, frequency, and place for the submission of assignments, for reporting academic progress, and for communicating with the pupil’s parent or guardian. EC Section 51747(g)(1)
   
   
4. List of subjects/courses in which the pupil is enrolled and number of course credits or other accomplishment to be earned. EC Section 51747(g)(6) ; 5 CCR Section 11703(b)(2)
   
   
5. The learning objectives and methods of study for the course(s) and assignments attempted under the agreement. EC sections 51747(g)(2) and 51745(a)(3) ; 5 CCR sections 11700(e)(f) and 11702(b)
   
   
6. The methods of evaluation that will be used to determine if the pupil met the learning objective(s). EC Section 51747(g)(2)
   
   
7. The specific resources, including instructional materials and personnel, and the confirmation or provision of access to the connectivity and devices adequate to participate and complete assigned work. EC sections 51746 and 51747(g)(3) ; 5 CCR sections 11700(i) , and 11701.5
   
   
8. The maximum length of time between the date of the assignment and when it is due, the level of satisfactory educational progress, and the number of missed assignments to determine if the pupil should remain in independent study. EC sections 51747(a) and 51747(g)(4)
   
   
9. Statement that independent study is an optional educational alternative in which no pupil shall be required to participate. EC Section 51747(g)(8) ; 5 CCR Section 11700(d)(2)(A)
   
   
10. Statement that instruction may be provided for an EC sections 48915 (expulsion) or 48917 (suspended expulsion) pupil through independent study only if the pupil has the continuous choice of classroom instruction. EC Section 51747(g)(8) ; 5 CCR Section 11700(d)(2)(B)
    
    
11. Reporting/returning assignments to teacher(s). EC Section 51747(g)(1)
    
    
    • Time(s) for meetings/reporting
    • Frequency of meetings (can be a combination of online, face-to-face, or lab)
    • Location (may be a combination of labs, classrooms, face-to-face, and/or online)
      
      
12. Dated signatures for pupil, parent, guardian, or caregiver, teacher, and the certificated employee designated as having responsibility for the special education programming of the pupil, as applicable. EC Section 51747(g)(9)

Equal Educational Opportunity

EC sections 51747(c) and 51749.5(a)(4)
The independent study option is designed to teach the knowledge and skills of the LEA’s core curriculum. LEAs offering independent study shall provide content aligned to grade level standards substantially equivalent to in-person instruction.

High school pupils participating in independent study shall have access to all courses offered by the LEA for graduation and approved by the University of California or the California State University as creditable under the a–g admissions criteria.

LEAs shall confirm or provide access to all independent study pupils to the connectivity and devices necessary to participate in their educational program and complete assignments. EC Section 51747(g)(3)

For pupils not performing at grade level or requiring support in other areas, the independent study agreement shall include a statement identifying the academic and other supports that will be provided to address the pupil’s needs. EC Section 51747(g)(7)

Ratio of Average Daily Attendance to Supervising Teacher

Traditional Independent Study: The ratio of average daily attendance for independent study pupils to school district full-time equivalent certificated employees responsible for independent study may not exceed the equivalent ratio of pupils to full-time certificated employees for all other educational programs operated by the school district. EC Section 51745.6(a)

CBIS: Refer to EC Section 51749.5(b) , and email any questions to the California Department of Education Instructional Time and Attendance Accounting Office at attendanceaccounting@cde.ca.gov.

In addition to the information above, also refer to the Instructions for Ratio Calculations.

Under Charter School Regulations, charter schools may use one of two methods for computing average daily attendance ratios:

1. They may follow the instructions for school districts, using as the base the unified school district with the greatest average daily attendance in the county or counties in which the charter school operates. 5 CCR Section 11704
   
   
2. They may use a fixed pupils-to-certificated employee ratio of not more than 25 to 1. EC Section 51745.6(e)

Standards Aligned

EC Section 51747(c)
Independent study courses and materials are aligned to state content standards, and textbooks are those most recently adopted by the State Board of Education or, in the case of high school, by the LEA. Supplemental materials may be used to respond to individual pupil interests and learning styles. Materials that are sectarian in nature are not used pursuant to the California Constitution, Article IX, Section 8 .

Teacher Quality

EC sections 51747.5 and 51749.5 recognize EC sections 44865 and 44300 , which provide that independent study teachers shall be employees of the LEA (for CBIS only, may be an employee from an adjacent school district under a Memorandum of Understanding) and shall possess a valid California certification document.

Independent study pupils have at least weekly access to a teacher who is a subject expert teacher in the subject area for a–g approved coursework. 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.

Pupil Success in Independent Study

LEAs offering independent study shall provide appropriate existing services and resources to enable pupils to complete their independent study program successfully. Services and resources may include, but are not limited, to the following:

1. Pupils shall have access to a designated learning center or study area staffed by appropriately trained personnel. EC Section 51746(a)
   
   
2. Pupils are assessed for their potential to be successful in independent study. EC Section 51746(b) ; 5 CCR Section 11700(d)(1)(B)
   
   
3. Pupils participating in independent study are to have the same access to existing services and resources and equality of rights and privileges as other pupils. 5 CCR sections 11700(i) and 11701.5
   
   
4. Pupils should have contact with teachers as specified in Board Policy (may be a combination of one-on-one, in class or lab, by email, phone, conference, and/or online) on a sufficiently frequent basis for the teachers to provide needed instruction, adequately assess pupil progress, and make appropriate modifications. The frequency of pupil-teacher meetings may be increased as needed.
   
   
5. Pupils shall have opportunities for daily live interaction and synchronous instruction for purposes of maintaining social connectedness, assessing progress and wellness, as well as for the provision of supportive services and instruction. EC sections 51747(e) and 51749.5(a)(4)(C)