Independent Study Contracts

From MUSD Handbook

INDEPENDENT STUDY

There are two types of independent study available to District students – “long term” or “short term”.

The first option for long-term independent study may be offered by any District school, elementary through adult, under the supervision of the principal or designee or from a District designated location that meets the requirements of the law where selected staff serves students enrolled in schools. Each student remains enrolled in the school of origin. Students/parents interested in this type of independent study should contact their school principal or the designated responsible administrator. Approval is based on criteria listed in MUSD Administrative Regulation 6158.

The second option is short term independent study (no more than 14 cumulative days in a school year) which has the following process and procedures:

When requested by a parent/guardian due to an emergency, vacation, or illness, independent study may be used on a short-term basis to ensure that the student is able to maintain academic progress in his/her regular classes.(cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses)

Independent Study Length and Calendar Requirements

Short-term (no less than 3 and no more than 14 cumulative days) independent study will be granted for one time during the academic year except for the first 10 and last ten days of the academic calendar. Short-term independent study shall not be calendared or combined with district school breaks that are 5 days or more nor shall they be granted during state testing dates. Please confirm test administration dates with your local school site.

At Mattos Elementary in the 2023-24 school year, state testing is for 3rd-6th grade students only and the testing window will be in April and May (specific dates TBD). There are no exceptions to the 14 day maximum. Parent requests for exceptions to the 14 day maximum will be denied. 

Students who are absent more than 10 days or the length of their independent study contract (whichever is longer) will be removed from their base and their status will be "unassigned". Upon return, if the seat is still open at Mattos the student will go back to Mattos. If there is no open seat, the student will be reassigned to another Milpitas elementary school where there is space.

The Parents/Guardians shall:

● Meet with the Site Administrator to formally make the request and review expectations of Short TermIndependent Study Contract.

● Submit a request in writing a minimum of 10 school days in advance prior to the leave date to allow teachers time to gather work and assignments.

● Understand Short-Term Independent Studies Contracts are not available during state/district testing windows nor during teacher/parent conferences. 

● Understand that these 3-14 days of absence will be considered unexcused if contract requirements are not met.

● Understand that if the student has previous patterns of unexcused absences or chronic absenteeism, the student may be referred to the Student Attendance and Review Board (SARB) and may require the parent to attend a SARB hearing at the District Office.

● Understand that upon the students return they will be enrolled in a Milpitas School where space is available (if the student does not return by the date stated in the contract).

● Understand that short-term independent study shall not be used more than one time in any given school year.

● Understand that short-term independent study shall not be calendared during the first 10 days and the last 10 days of school.

● Understand that short-term independent study shall not be calendared or combined with district school breaks that are 5 days or more.

The student shall:

● Complete the work during the time away from school.

● Submit completed work by the due date for review and validation in order to receive academic credit.

● Understand that short-term independent study shall not be used more than one time in any given school year.

The site staff shall:

● Meets with family/parent/guardian to review requests and expectations for Short Term Independent Study.

● Approve independent study for an individual student only upon determining that the student is prepared to meet the district's requirements for independent study and is likely to complete the work.

● Obtain a list of required assignments created by the classroom teacher(s).

● Ensure the assignments are reviewed and graded by the classroom teacher(s).

● Ensure office staff supporting attendance enters data into the system to receive academic credit.

● If the student does not return on the day of the contract’s completion, the site shall:

1. Verify the absence via a phone call, in-person conversation with parent/guardian, or via a home visit. If verification is not achieved, the student will be considered habitually truant and a School Attendance Review Board (SARB) letter will be sent to the student’s home.

2. Schedule a meeting with the parent/guardian and an attendance contract may need to be developed and implemented depending on the number of previous absences the student has accrued.

3. Refer the student to a SARB hearing at the District Office if the student has previous patterns of chronic absenteeism this would require.

4. Report annually to the Executive Director of Learning & Development or designee the number of students who participate in both Short-Term and Long-Term Independent Study.

● The Executive Director of Learning and Development will report this data to the Board on an annual basis.