Edison Elementary School District

Section One:  Introduction

Participation in Independent Study is a completely voluntary, optional education alternative and no student will be required to participate.  A student with an individualized education plan (“IEP”) may participate in Independent Study if their IEP provides for placement in independent study.  If your student has an IEP, please contact Mrs. Stephanie Clark, Coordinator of Special Education at (661) 366-8440 to schedule an IEP meeting to discuss whether or not Independent Study is an appropriate placement for the student.

The District’s Independent Study Program will be substantially equivalent in quality and quantity to classroom instruction.  In the program, the student will have access to the same services and resources that are available to other students in the school and shall have equal rights and privileges. Board Policy 6158 governs the District’s Independent Study Program.

The student will complete the courses listed below.  These courses reflect the curriculum adopted by the District, which are consistent with the standards.

If student satisfactorily completes any of the above courses before the ending date of this Master Agreement, one or more courses may be added to the Master Agreement through additional Course Supplemental Agreements, which are signed by the student, student’s parent/guardian/caretaker as applicable, supervising teacher(s), certificated employee responsible for special education programming if student has an IEP, and any other persons with direct responsibility for providing assistance to the student.

As long as the student has completed work in a satisfactory manner as determined by the Independent Studies Teacher, the student will advance to the next grade level.

Section Two:  Assignments and Testing

Assignments will be provided to the student through Canvas and Learning Packets. The assignments must be submitted either electronically through Canvas or delivered to the school site as instructed and at the designated time by the supervising teacher(s).  Parent/guardian is responsible for transportation of the student to school site as required per the Independent Study Program.

The maximum time allowed between assignment of work and the completion and submission of the work is one week, unless an exception is made by the supervising teacher(s).  More time may be allowed pursuant to a student’s IEP or 504 Plan accommodations. 

the student agrees to take any site, local and/or state assessments in-person.  Students may opt out of state assessments.

Section Three:  Resources

The District will provide all material necessary for the student to participate in Independent Study. The District will assure that the student has connectivity and devices to allow the student to participate in Independent Study and complete assigned work.  If student requires a device or connectivity assistance, those items may be checked out after a responsibility contract regarding those items has been signed. 

The District will provide the personnel necessary for student to participate in Independent Study. Ms. Desiree Kindig and Mr. Eric Rumbo  have been assigned as student’s teacher(s) to supervise his/her participation in Independent Study.  If student has an IEP, your student’s Special Education Teacher, has been assigned as the responsible person for student’s special education programming.

The District will provide academic supports for students not performing at grade level as follows: Tiered Intervention Supports as needed.

District will provide additional supports as needed in other areas, such as English learners, students with IEP or 504, foster care students, homeless students, and students requiring mental health supports.

Students will also have the following synchronous and live interaction opportunities:

Section Four:  Expectation of Students (Objectives and Methods of Study)

Students participating in Independent Study are expected to:

1.       Participate in synchronous and live interaction opportunities as outlined;

2.       Report to supervising teacher(s) as required;

3.       Complete assignments through the online platform or as assigned by teacher(s) and submit in timely manner;

          4.       Participate in person when taking tests/assessments;

5.       Participate in person if additional, on-campus supports are assigned to student;

Section Five:  Evaluation of Work

Student’s work and progress will be evaluated by the Independent Study Teacher.

Parent will be informed of the student’s progress by the supervising teacher(s) through phone calls or e-mail.  The supervising teacher(s) will update parent weekly.

To remain on Independent Study, student must make satisfactory educational progress.  If the student is not making satisfactory educational progress, a meeting will be conducted to determine if it is in the best interest of the student to remain in Independent Study.  Factors that may necessitate a meeting include, but are not limited to:

1.               Not participating in supervisor teacher(s) meetings, synchronous learning, or live interaction opportunities;

2.               Not completing and submitting assignments;

3.               Not meeting student expectations listed above.

If a meeting to determine student’s continued participation in Independent Study is necessary, the parent, student, and supervising teacher(s) shall meet to determine if the student should continue.  If the student has an IEP, this determination shall occur in an IEP meeting.  The factors that will be considered in a meeting pursuant to this section include, but are not limited to:

1.       The student’s achievement and engagement in the Independent Study Program, as indicated by the student’s performance on applicable student-level measures of student achievement and engagement;

2.       The completion of assignments, assessments, or other indicators that evidence  that the student is working on assignments.

3.       Learning required concepts, as determined by the supervising teacher(s); and

4.       Progression toward successful completion of the course of study or individual course, as determined by the supervising teacher(s).

At the conclusion of this meeting, a determination will be made as to whether or not a student will be allowed to remain in the Independent Study Program or given a student improvement plan.   

I understand that participation in Independent Study is voluntary and participation is at the request of student and/or parent.  I have reviewed this Agreement and agree to abide by all terms of this Agreement.  I understand that if student has an IEP, the terms and conditions of that document are incorporated within this Independent Study Agreement.