BP 6158 — INDEPENDENT STUDY
Instruction BP 6158(a)
INDEPENDENT STUDY
The Board of Education authorizes independent study as an optional alternative
instructional strategy for students whose needs may be best met through study outside
of the regular classroom setting. Independent study shall offer a means of individualizing
the educational plan to serve students who desire a more challenging educational
experience, whose health or other personal circumstances make classroom attendance
difficult, who are unable to access course(s) due to scheduling problems, and/or who
need to make up credits or fill gaps in their learning. As necessary to meet student needs,
independent study may be offered for short- or long-term placements, on a full-time or
part-time basis and/or in conjunction with part- or full-time classroom study.
(cf. 5147 - Dropout Prevention)
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6146.11 - Alternative Credits Toward Graduation)
(cf. 6172 - Gifted and Talented Student Program)
(cf. 6200 - Adult Education)
The Superintendent or designee may provide a variety of independent study
opportunities, including, but not limited to, through a program or class within a
comprehensive school, an alternative school or program of choice, a charter school, and
an online course.
(cf. 0420.4 - Charter School Authorization)
(cf. 6181 - Alternative Schools/Programs of Choice)
Student participation in independent study shall be voluntary and no student shall be
required to participate. (Education Code 51747; 51749.5, 51749.6)
Independent study for each student shall be under the general supervision of a District
employee who possesses a valid certification document pursuant to Education Code
44865 or an emergency credential pursuant to Education Code 44300. Students'
independent study shall be coordinated, evaluated, and documented, as prescribed by
law, and reflected in the accompanying administrative regulation. (Education Code
51747.5)
There is no minimum period of time for independent study.
General Independent Study Requirements
The Superintendent or designee may offer and approve independent study for an
individual student upon determining that the student is prepared to meet the District's
requirements for participation and is likely to succeed as well as or better than the student
would in the regular classroom setting.
BP 6158(b)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
The minimum instructional minutes shall be the same for all students at each school
including students participating in independent study, except as otherwise permitted by
law. (Education Code 46100)
Because excessive leniency in the duration of independent study assignments may result
in a student falling behind peers and increase the risk of dropping out of school,
independent study assignments shall be completed no more than one week after
assigned for all grade levels and types of programs. When necessary based on the
specific circumstances of the student's approved program, the Superintendent or
designee may allow for a longer period of time between the date an assignment is made
and when it is due. However, in no event shall the due date of an assignment be extended
beyond the termination date specified in the student’s written agreement.
An evaluation shall be conducted to determine whether it is in a student's best interest to
remain in independent study whenever the student fails to make satisfactory educational
progress and/or misses three assignments. Satisfactory educational progress shall be
determined based on all of the following indicators: (Education Code 51747)
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 specified in Education Code 52060
2. The completion of assignments, assessments, or other indicators that evidence
that the student is working on assignments
3. Learning of required concepts, as determined by the supervising teacher
4. Progress towards successful completion of the course of study or individual
course, as determined by the supervising teacher
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that students participating in independent
study are provided with content aligned to grade level standards at a level of quality and
intellectual challenge substantially equivalent to in- person instruction. For high schools,
this shall include access to all courses offered by the District for graduation and approved
by the University of California (UC) or the California State University (CSU) as creditable
under the a–g admissions criteria. (Education Code 51747)
BP 6158(c)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that all students participating in independent
study for 16 school days or more receive the following throughout the school year:
(Education Code 51747)
1. For students in grades transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 3,
opportunities for daily synchronous instruction
2. For students in grades 4-8, opportunities for both daily live interaction and at least
weekly synchronous instruction
3. For students in grades 9-12, opportunities for at least weekly synchronous
instruction
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that procedures for tiered reengagement
strategies are used for all students participating in an independent study program for 16
school days or more who are: (Education Code 51747)
1. Not generating attendance for more than ten percent of required minimum days
instructional time over four continuous weeks of the District’s approved
instructional calendar
2. Not participating in synchronous instructional offerings pursuant to Education
Code 51747.5 for more than 50 percent of the scheduled times of synchronous
instruction in a school month as applicable by grade span
3. In violation of their written agreement
Tiered reengagement strategies procedures used in District independent study programs
shall include local programs intended to address chronic absenteeism as applicable,
including but are not limited to the following: (Education Code 51747)
1. Verification of current contact information for each enrolled student
2. Notification to parents/guardians of lack of participation within one school day of
the recording of a non-attendance day or lack of participation
3. A plan for outreach from the school to determine student needs, including
connection with health and social services as necessary
4. A clear standard for requiring a student-parent-educator conference to review a
student’s written agreement and reconsider the independent study program’s
impact on the student’s achievement and well-being
5.
BP 6158(d)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
The Superintendent or designee shall, for students who participate in an independent
study program for 16 school days or more, develop a plan to transition students whose
families wish to return to in-person instruction from independent study expeditiously, and,
in no case later, than five instructional days. (Education Code 51747)
When any student enrolled in classroom-based instruction is participating in independent
study due to necessary medical treatment or inpatient treatment for mental health or
substance abuse under the care of appropriately licensed professionals, the student shall
be exempt from the live interaction and/or synchronous instruction, tiered reengagement
strategies, and transition back to in-person instruction requirements specified above. In
such cases, evidence from appropriately licensed professionals, of the student's need to
participate in independent study, shall be submitted to the Superintendent or designee.
(Education Code 51747)
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that a written master agreement exists for
each participating student as prescribed by law. (Education Code 51747, 51749.5)
Upon the request of the parent/guardian of a student, and before signing a written
agreement as described in Administrative Regulation 6158 – Independent Study, the
District shall conduct a telephone, videoconference, or in-person student-parent-educator
conference or other meeting during which the student, parent/guardian, and, if requested
by the parent/guardian an advocate, may ask questions about the educational options,
including which curriculum offerings and nonacademic supports will be available to the
student in independent study. (Education Code 51747)
COURSE-BASED INDEPENDENT STUDY
The District’s course-based independent study program for students in grades K-12 shall
be subject to the following requirements: (Education Code 51749.5)
1. A signed learning agreement shall be completed and on file for each participating
student pursuant to Education Code 51749.6
2. Courses shall be taught under the general supervision of certificated employees
who hold the appropriate subject matter credential and are employed by the District
or by another district, charter school, or county office of education with which the
District has a memorandum of understanding to provide the instruction
(cf. 4112.2 - Certification)
(cf. 4112.24 - Teacher Qualifications Under the No Child Left Behind Act)
BP 6158(e)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
3. Courses shall be annually certified by Board resolution to be of the same rigor and
educational quality and to provide intellectual challenge that is substantially
equivalent to in-person, classroom-based instruction, and shall be aligned to all
relevant local and state content standards. For high schools, this shall include
access to all courses offered by the District for graduation and approved by the
University of California (UC) or the California State University (CSU) as creditable
under the a-g admissions criteria. The certification shall, at a minimum, include the
duration, number of equivalent daily instructional minutes for each school day that
student is enrolled, number of equivalent total instructional minutes, and number
of course credits for each course, consistent with that of equivalent classroom-
based courses. The certification shall also include plans to provide opportunities
throughout the school year, for all students in transitional kindergarten,
kindergarten, and grades 1-3 to receive daily synchronous instruction, for students
in grades 4-8, to receive both daily live interaction and at least weekly synchronous
instruction, and for students in grades 9-12 to receive at least weekly synchronous
instruction
4. Students enrolled in independent study courses shall meet the applicable age
requirements established pursuant to Education Code 46300.1, 46300.4, 47612,
and 47612.1, and the applicable residency and enrollment requirements
established pursuant to Education Code 46300.2, 47612, 48204, and 51747.3
5. For each student participating in an independent study course, satisfactory
educational progress shall be determined based on 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
student engagement set forth in Education Code 52060, completion of
assignments, assessments, or other indicators that evidence that the student is
working on assignments, learning of required concepts, as determined by the
supervising teacher, and progress toward successful completion of the course of
study or individual course, as determined by the supervising teacher
If satisfactory educational progress in one or more independent study courses is not being
made, the teacher providing instruction shall notify the student and, if the student is under
age 18 years of age, the student’s parent/guardian. The teacher shall conduct an
evaluation to determine whether it is in the student's best interest to remain in the course
or whether the student should be referred to an alternative program, which may include,
but is not limited to, a regular school program. A written record of the evaluation findings
shall be treated as a mandatory interim student record maintained for three years from
the date of the evaluation. If the student transfers to another California public school, the
record shall be forwarded to that school.
BP 6158(f)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
Procedures for tiered reengagement strategies shall be used for all students who are not
making satisfactory educational progress in one or more courses or who are in violation
of the written learning agreement, as described in the section "Learning Agreement for
Course-Based Independent Study" in Administrative Regulation 6158 – Independent
Study. These procedures shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the verification
of current contact information for each enrolled student, a plan for outreach from the
school to determine student needs, including connection with health and social services
as necessary, and a clear standard for requiring a student-parent-educator conference to
review a student’s written agreement and reconsider the independent study program’s
impact on the student’s achievement and well-being.
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
6. Examinations shall be administered by a proctor
7. Statewide testing results shall be reported and assigned to the school at which the
student is enrolled and shall be included in the aggregate results of the District.
Test results also shall be disaggregated for purposes of comparisons with the test
results of students enrolled in classroom-based courses
(cf. 6162.51 - State Academic Achievement Tests)
8. A student shall not be required to enroll in courses included in the course-based
independent study program
9. The student-teacher ratio in the courses in this program shall meet the
requirements of Education Code 51745.6
10. For each student, the combined equivalent daily instructional minutes for courses
in this program and all other courses shall meet applicable minimum instructional
day requirements, and the student shall be offered the minimum annual total
equivalent instructional minutes pursuant to Education Code 46200-46208
(cf. 6111 - School Calendar)
(cf. 6112 - School Day)
11. Courses required for high school graduation or for admission to the UC or CSU
shall not be offered exclusively through independent study
12. A student participating in this program shall not be assessed a fee that is prohibited
by Education Code 49011
(cf. 3260 - Fees and Charges)
BP 6158(g)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
13. A student shall not be prohibited from participating in independent study solely on
the basis that the student does not have the materials, equipment, or access to
internet connectivity necessary to participate in the course
14. A student with disabilities, as defined in Education Code 56026, shall not
participate in course-based independent study if the student’s individualized
education program specifically provides for that participation
15. A temporarily disabled student shall not receive individual instruction pursuant to
Education Code 48206.3 through course-based independent study
16. The District shall maintain a plan to transition any student whose family wishes to
return to in-person instruction from course-based independent study expeditiously,
and, in no case, later than five instructional days
Student-Parent-Educator Conferences
A student-parent-educator conference shall be held as appropriate including, but not
limited to, as a reengagement strategy and/or if requested by a parent/guardian prior to
enrollment or disenrollment from independent study. (Education Code 51745.5, 51747,
51749.5)
Records
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that records are maintained for audit
purposes.
These records shall include, but not be limited to: (Education Code 51748; 5 CCR 11703)
1. A copy of the board policy, administrative regulation, and other procedures related
to independent study
2. A listing of the students, by grade level, program, and school, who have
participated in independent study, along with the units of the curriculum attempted
and completed by students in grades K-8 and the course credits attempted by and
awarded to students in grades 9-12 and adult education
3. A file of all agreements, with representative samples of each student's work
products bearing the supervising teacher's signed or initialed and dated notations
indicating that the teacher has personally evaluated the work or personally
reviewed the evaluations made by another certificated teacher
BP 6158(h)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
4. As appropriate to the program in which the students are participating, a daily or
hourly attendance register that is separate from classroom attendance records,
maintained on a current basis as time values of student work products judged by
a certificated teacher, and reviewed by the supervising teacher if they are two
different persons
5. Appropriate documentation of compliance with the teacher-student ratios required
by Education Code 51745.6 and 51749.5 (Education Code 51745.6 and 51749.5)
6. Appropriate documentation of compliance with the requirements pursuant to
Education Code 51747.5 to ensure the coordination, evaluation, and supervision
of the independent study of each student by a District employee who possesses a
valid certification document pursuant to Education Code 44865 or an emergency
credential pursuant to Education Code 44300 (Education Code 51747.5)
The District shall document each student’s participation in live interaction and
synchronous instruction pursuant to Education Code 51747 on each school day, as
applicable, in whole or in part, for which live interaction or synchronous instruction is
provided as part of the independent study program. A student who does not participate in
scheduled live interaction or synchronous instruction shall be documented as non-
participatory for that school day. (Education Code 51747.5)
The Superintendent or designee shall also maintain a written or computer-based record
such as a grade book or summary document of student engagement, for each class, of
all grades, assignments, and assessments for each student for independent study
assignments. (Education Code 51747.5)
The signed written supplemental agreements, assignment records, work samples, and
attendance records may be maintained as an electronic file in accordance with Education
Code 51747 and 51749.6, as applicable. (Education Code 51747)
(cf. 0500 - Accountability)
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 6162.5 - Student Assessment)
(cf. 6162.51 - State Academic Achievement Tests)
(cf. 6162.52 - High School Exit Examination)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
17289 Exemption for facilities
41020 Requirement for annual audit
41422 Apportionment credit for student inability to attend in-person or school closure due to COVID-19
42238 Revenue limits
42238.05 Local control funding formula; average daily attendance
44865 Qualifications for home teachers
BP 6158(i)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
46100 Length of school day
46200-46208 Incentives for longer instructional day and year
46300-46307.1 Methods of computing average daily attendance
46390-46393 Emergency average daily attendance
46600 Interdistrict attendance computation
47612-47612.1 Charter School Operation
47612.5 Charter schools operations, general requirements
48204 Residency requirements for school attendance
48206.3 Home or hospital instruction; students with temporary disabilities
48220 Classes of children exempted
48340 Improvement of pupil attendance
48915 Expulsion; particular circumstances
48916.1 Educational program requirements for expelled students
48917 Suspension of expulsion order
49011 Student fees
51225.3 High school graduation
51744-51749.6 Independent study
52060 Local Control and Accountability Plan
52523 Adult education as supplement to high school curriculum; criteria
56026 Individuals with exceptional needs
58500-58512 Alternative schools and programs of choice
6550-6552 Caregivers
FAMILY CODE
6550-6552 Caregivers
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
11700-11703 Independent study
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
6301 Highly qualified teachers
6311 State plan
COURT DECISIONS
Modesto City Schools v. Education Audits Appeal Panel, (2004) 123 Cal.App.4th 1365
EDUCATION AUDIT APPEALS PANEL DECISIONS
Guide for Annual Audits of K-12 Local Education Agencies and State Compliance Reporting
Management Resources:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Legal Requirements for Independent Study, 2021
Conducting Individualized Determinations of Need, 2021
2021-22 AA & IT Independent Study FAQs, 2021
California Digital Learning Integration and Standards Guidance, April 2021
Elements of Exemplary Independent Study
WEBSITES
California School Boards Association District and County Office of Education Legal Services:
https://legalservices.csba.org/
California Consortium for Independent Study: www.ccis.org
California Department of Education, Independent Study: www.cde.ca.gov/sp/eo/is
Education Audit Appeals Panel: www.eaap.ca.gov
BP 6158(j)
INDEPENDENT STUDY (cont.)
Chino Valley Unified School District
Policy adopted: August 21, 1997
Revised: February 4, 1999
Revised: May 23, 2002
Revised: June 11, 2015
Revised: September 2, 2021
Revised: May 18, 2023
Revised: October 17, 2024