Enrollment in independent study is optional, and no pupil may be required to participate. Independent study students must be enrolled in a local school. 
Special education students may participate in independent study if their individualized education program (IEP) specifically provides for the participation.  

• The IEP team shall make an individualized determination as to whether the student 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 IEP team from determining that the pupil can receive a free appropriate education through independent study.

No, independent study may be offered to pupils whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction, as determined by the parent or guardian of the pupil. Therefore, no authorization other than the request of the parent or guardian is needed.

Yes. State law allows the use of independent study to serve a pupil who is traveling. The requirements for independent study for students who are traveling are the same as for independent study in other situations, including written agreements. 

Board policies for Traditional Independent Study shall require the provision of content aligned to grade level standards that is substantially equivalent to in-person instruction; and, for high school students includes access to all courses offered by the LEA for graduation and creditable under the a–g admissions criteria for the University of California or the California State University. EC Section 51747(c)

The independent study agreement shall outline the course of study for each independent study pupil and shall include the manner, time, frequency, and place for submitting a pupil’s assignments, for reporting the pupil’s academic progress, and for communicating with a pupil’s parent or guardian regarding the academic progress. EC sections 51747(g) and 51749.6(a)(7)

The level of satisfactory educational progress is based on the student’s achievement and engagement, the completion of assignments; the learning of required concepts; and progress toward successful completion of the course. 

Yes, independent study is to be substantially equivalent in quality and quantity to classroom instruction. All content should be aligned to grade level standards.

It is important that independent study pupils, as well as their parent(s) or guardian(s), understand the commitment they are making when they sign the independent study agreement. Parents or guardians, teachers, and pupils shall understand that pupils are expected to spend at least as much time on independent study assignments as they would in the regular classroom setting.

School districts are required to have attendance systems procedures that have been approved by the CDE and include independent study attendance tracking information. 

Teachers make assignments in increments consistent with the program that the student is enrolled in (i.e., full days for traditional kindergarten through grade twelve and opportunity education, hours for continuation education). Student work must be turned in as specified in the independent study agreement.

Independent study pupils may be scheduled and required to come to group sessions or labs that are specified in the independent study agreement. Independent study attendance is never based on pupil presence at seat-based sessions. It is based on either: (1) traditional independent study: the time value of pupil work or the combined time value of student work product and student participation in synchronous instruction that meets instructional time requirements, per EC Section 51747.5(b).

School districts are required to provide synchronous instruction and live interaction opportunities provided as follows:

No. The synchronous instruction may be in-person or via internet or telephone communications. Synchronous instruction shall be provided by a teacher or teachers of record for that student or the certificated employee of the district providing instruction for Traditional Independent Study.

Beginning in 2024-2025 Capital City Independent Study is having students K-12 attend on-campus 1 day a week to support the students academic success. The in-person session will be part of the student’s Individual Learning Plan.