Independent Study School Year 2021/2022

Short-term Independent Study (3 weeks or less)

Short-term Independent Study lasts up to three weeks and is for students who may have been exposed to COVID-19, or who are in isolation / quarantine for COVID-19. Please contact your school to report absences and to request a short-term independent study contract.
 

Long-Term Independent Study Option (longer than 3 weeks)

SMJUHSD welcomes back all students for full, in-person instruction five-days a week starting August, 2021. A new law, AB/SB 130 (Education Code 51745(a)), has provided a long-term (> 3 weeks) option for parents and students for the 2021-2022 school year. This law has mandated certain instructional requirements for IS programs this year, and allows parents to choose between in-person instruction at a school site and an IS program.
 

Requesting a Parent-Educator Conference

It is your right to request a parent-educator conference prior to enrolling your student in Independent Study in order to inform your decision and ensure that it is appropriate for your student. Request a conference by contacting your student's school.

The purpose and intent of the IS program is to provide an option for students who may be adversely affected attending in-person school. For the 2021-2022 school year, all families will have (1) the option to choose an independent study option for their child(ren), and (2) the right to request a pupil/parent/educator conference meeting prior to enrollment in the independent study program. Students with IEPs must have Independent Study included in their IEP to be enrolled in the remote independent study program.
Students enrolled in the SMJUHSD independent study program will:
  • have access to courses that ensure progress towards graduation;
  • attend at least one weekly synchronous session with a SMJUHSD teacher;
  • not have access to the same range of courses as they would in-person;
  • not receive instruction from teachers currently teaching in the in-person program; and
  • be able to return to in-person instruction given five days’ notice to the District.
 

Instructional Modes

The goal of our independent study program is to provide an alternative to in-person instruction to students whose health may be adversely affected by attending class face-to-face. There are specific requirements that may include both synchronous and asynchronous work.
"Synchronous instruction" means classroom-style instruction or designated small group or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or in the form of internet (Zoom) or telephonic communications and involving live, two-way communication between the teacher and student. Synchronous instruction will be provided by the teacher of record for that student.
"Live interaction" means interaction between the student and school staff, and may include peers. It is provided for the purpose of maintaining school connectedness, including but not limited to: wellness checks, progress monitoring, provision of services and instruction. This interaction may take place in person or in the form of internet (Zoom) or telephonic communication.
“Asynchronous instruction" means work that the student does on their own, either on paper, or using other physical items, or on electronic devices.
 
Independent Study in the 2021-2022 School Year will consist of at least weekly synchronous instruction for all students throughout the school year.
These expectations will also be outlined in the students’ written Independent Study Agreement, which must be signed prior to enrollment.