INDEPENDENT STUDY: Policy # 2320

The District Independent Study Program, attached for reference, is intended as a “gifted” program and not for the resolution of specific scheduling problems except as approved by the Assistant Superintendent. Under no circumstances will regularly scheduled teacher class time be used to monitor an Independent Study Program.

Procedure for Independent Study
The following is the procedure for Independent Study in the District. This procedure is effective October 1, 1984. Any pupil placed on Independent Study prior to the effective date is not subject to these procedures and rules. All pupils placed on Independent Study after this date must comply with these regulations.

1. Any pupil wishing to pursue an Independent Study Experience must obtain an application form from the pupil’s guidance counselor.

2. The pupil is responsible for completing the form, obtaining parental approval, securing the services of a cooperating teacher, and returning the form to the pupil’s guidance counselor.

3. Upon receipt of a completed application, the pupil’s guidance counselor will attach an Independent Study Form, fill out the heading of the form, and forward it to the supervisor of the department in which the project is to be done.

4. The receiving supervisor will review the application in accordance with the approval form, complete the approval form, contact the agreeing cooperating teacher to verify his or her willingness to work independently with the student, and so indicate on the approval form. Should the teacher be unwilling or should the supervisor deem it unadvisable for the particular teacher to increase his/her work load in this manner, the supervisor will so indicate on the approval form and return it to the pupil’s guidance counselor who will notify the pupil and terminate the application. If the application is approved by the supervisor, it will be forwarded to the pupil’s guidance counselor.

5. Upon receipt of an approved application from a supervisor, the pupil’s guidance counselor will review the application and make a recommendation as to the appropriateness of the Independent Study for the pupil in question. Should the counselor disapprove the application during this evaluation, it is his/her responsibility to so notify the pupil and terminate the application.

6. Should the application be approved, the counselor will forward it to the Principal for approval. If the Principal approves the application, he/she shall return the application to the pupil’s counselor who shall place the original in the pupil’s file and end a copy to the supervisor, teacher, and parent.

7. In order to qualify for Independent Study, a pupil must meet the academic requirements for activity eligibility and never failed a course in the general subject area in which the Independent Study is to be done.

8. Upon notification that his or her application has been approved, the pupil must arrange a meeting with the cooperating teacher to complete an Independent Study contract. The completed contract must be reviewed by the appropriate supervisor. The pupil is responsible to see that a signed copy of the contract is delivered to his or her counselor for filing in the pupil’s records.

9. During the project, the cooperating teacher will complete a progress report form in accordance with paragraph IIIc of the contract, but in no case less than twice during the duration of the project. This progress report must be signed by both the pupil and the teacher and forwarded to the counselor for inclusion in the pupil’s record.

10. Upon completion of the independent study experience, the cooperating teacher will assign a grade for work accomplished and forward a copy of the grade report to the counselor for inclusion in the pupil’s record.

Reporting of the grade to data processing is the responsibility of the cooperating teacher.

Refer to Section 1800 of the Administrative Manual for a complete set of procedural guidelines and forms.

STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. In order to participate in an independent study program, you must obtain an application from the high school office which is your responsibility to complete and submit.

2. Having obtained the application form, you must then contact a teaching staff member who will agree to be your cooperating teacher for the independent study experience and together with that teacher, complete the application.

3. Once the application has been completed, you must obtain your parent’s approval and signature on the application in order for it to be valid.

4. The completed application is to be turned in to your guidance counselor for processing.

5. If your application is approved, you are responsible to complete the contract for the project, adhere to all provisions of the project, obey the school rules during the time you’re working on the independent study experience in school and complete the independent study experience within the time limits established.

6. If your application is disapproved, you have the right to appeal the disapproval to the high school principal by requesting he/she review the application and the disapproval. The request for his/her review must be submitted in writing no later than two weeks (ten school days) after you are notified of the disapproval.

7. In order to be eligible to participate in an independent study experience, you must:
a. Meet the eligibility requirements for participation in the study activity program
b. Have a cumulative grade average of at least 2.00.
c. Never have failed a course in the department area in which independent study project is to be based.
d. Obtain the agreement of a teaching staff member to serve as your cooperating