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Summary of SUHSD Policies and Procedures click HERE.
VOLUNTARY STATEMENT & SUSPENDED/EXPELLED STUDENTS
Learning Agreement shall be signed, before the commencement of independent study [Education Code Section 51747(g)(9)].
Independent Study is an optional educational alternative in which no student may be required to participate; traditional classroom instruction has been offered and is always available. In the case of a suspended or expelled student (Education Code §48915) and/or a student whose expulsion has been suspended (Education Code or §48917), the student has been offered the alternative of classroom instruction and has the continuing option of classroom instruction. All resources and services of a school are also available to the student. At the end of the school year, an evaluation will be made to determine appropriate placement for the following school year [Education Code 51747(b) and 51747(c)(4)].
REPORTING
Students are required to meet with their teachers on a regular basis at their LIVE Academic session times and the scheduled appointment times as listed in the course syllabi and teachers’ course information. The manner of submitting work is via CANVAS or other pre-approved means as required in course syllabi. Students sign up for appointments with their teachers via teachers’ online calendar appointment system, by email or other pre-approved means as indicated in course syllabi. Students meet with their teachers synchronously (live) via Microsoft TEAMS. Links to the teachers’ TEAMS meetings are on the class syllabi. Students are required to attend LIVE Academic Synchronous sessions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES, METHODS OF STUDY & METHODS OF EVALUATION
Subject/course objectives reflect the curriculum adopted by the district’s governing board and are consistent with district standards as outlined in the district’s subject/course descriptions. The specific objectives, methods of study, methods of evaluation, and resources for each assignment covered by this agreement are described in the course syllabi, which are part of this agreement. All subsidiary agreements, including course syllabi, are also part of this agreement. Each course syllabus/pacing guide includes: course objectives, study methods, resources supplied, manner and frequency of assignments, method of evaluation guidelines, required class and individual student meetings and teacher contact information specific to each course. The student will complete all courses utilizing a blended program delivered online via synchronous and asynchronous modes, as well as face-to-face (live) instruction for designated courses.
SUBJECTS/COURSES ENROLLED & COURSE CREDITS
Student will be assigned to a supervising teacher (Academic Coach) before school begins. Student will receive course schedule during school “Onboarding” session and prior to first day of school. Student and/or parent can request course schedule changes. School counselor will evaluate course schedule change requests and based on student’s academic needs and post-secondary college and career plans changes may be made. The specific course credit is described in the course syllabi, which is part of this agreement.
RESOURCES & CONNECTIVITY
Students are provided with teacher support services, district- adopted curriculum, and related instructional materials. Academic and other supports (academic intervention, counseling, one-to-one teacher/student meetings, tutoring, study skills) may be provided to address the needs of student who are not performing at grade level, or need support in other areas, such as English learners and individuals with exceptional needs in order to be consistent with the pupil’s individualized education program or plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and pupils requiring mental health support.
Connectivity: If needed, the school will provide access to all pupils to the connectivity and devices adequate to participate in the educational program and complete assigned work.
Equitable Access, Resources and Services: Students have the same access to existing services and resources as all other students enrolled in the district. The course-based independent study option is to be substantially equivalent in quality and quantity to classroom instruction, and students who choose to engage in independent study are to have equality of rights and privileges with students in the regular school program.
ASSIGNMENTS & EVALUATION TO CONTINUE IN INDEPENDENT STUDY
For 7-13 students in independent study, the maximum length of time, which may elapse between the time the assignment, is made and the date by which the student must complete the assigned work is two weeks or 10 days (SUHSD BP 6158). When any student submits substandard work, the Superintendent or designee shall conduct an evaluation to determine whether it is in the student's best interest to remain in independent study. A written record of the findings of this evaluation shall be retained as prescribed by law.This record shall be maintained for a period of three years from the date of the evaluation and, if the student transfers to another California public school, the record shall be forwarded to that school.
The level of satisfactory educational progress shall be determined based on all of the following indicators:
a) The pupil’s achievement and engagement in the independent study program, as indicated by the pupil’s performance on applicable pupil-level measures of pupil achievement and pupil engagement.
b) The completion of assignments, assessments, or other indicators that evidence that the pupil is working on assignments.
c) Learning required concepts, as determined by the course teacher and monitored by the supervising teacher.
d) Progressing toward successful completion of the course of study or individual course, as determined by the course and supervising teacher.
Reasons for students to be evaluated to determine whether it is in the student's best interest to remain in independent study:
a) Students who do not make satisfactory educational progress in independent study will be returned to the home (residency) school or the school that was being attended at the time of referral to Independent Study (SUHSD AR 6158).
b) Students who are noted as absent for more than 10 percent of required minimum instructional time over four weeks [20 days].
c) Students not participating in synchronous LIVE Academic sessions for more than 50 percent of the scheduled time in a school month [missing 6 or more LIVE Academic sessions in a month].
d) Students not following school Netiquette guidelines.
e) Students not participating in State required standarized assessments.
Students under evaluation to continue in Independent Study will be placed into a tiered system of student reengagement [Education Code Sections 51747 (d)].
TEST PROCTORING GUIDELINES
Launch Virtual Academy allows tests to be taken online. To maintain reasonable accountability without external intrusiveness, parents are asked to proctor all test-taking, following these requirements:
a) Parent is responsible for managing the security of the test and the integrity of the process. Accountability does not undermine trust, but establishes, supports, and confirms it, providing a protection for the student.
b) Except for specific written exceptions provided by the teacher, tests are to be taken without access to books, notes, online information, separate devices or human assistance.
c) Tests should be taken in one sitting from the point where the student has access to the test questions to the point where the student has submitted the answers. Unless stated differently in an IEP or 504 Plan. Proctoring starts from the moment the student has access to the questions and ends after the student has submitted the answers.
d) At the completion of the test, student should submit test and not photograph, screenshot, snip image(s) or copy any portion of the test. Students should not be given opportunity to share the test to other students, and other students should not be given access to the test.
Violations of these guidelines can result in cancellation of the score of the test(s) as determined by the teacher. If there are reasonable evidence that a student (and parent) is not following these proctoring guidelines, the student might be placed under academic integrity probation. Repeated violations of these guidelines may lead to suspension or dismissal. All tests are assumed to be proctored in this manner unless the teacher provides specific written exceptions to one or more aspects of this procedure for a particular test.
STATE STANDARDIZED STUDENT TESTING
Students are required to participate in state assessments. These assessments include item types that model and promote high-quality teaching and student learning and ensure that all of California students are well prepared for college and careers in today’s competitive global economy.
Assessments:
a) California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Assessments
b) Smarter Balanced System of Assessments, California Science Test, California Alternate Assessments, California Spanish Assessment, and Grade Two Diagnostic Assessments
c) English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
d) Physical Fitness Testing (PFT)
e) National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
f) High School Equivalency Tests (HSET)
g) California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)
MEDIA CONSENT AND RELEASE
Due to the online nature of the school, your student’s visual image or audio may be captured by electronic means for purposes including but not limited to: improving the educational services of the school, participation in a printed or electronic publication; photograph; promotional materials; websites; social media; and recordings for use in audio, video, film or any other electronic, digital, or printed media (“Representation”).
You also understand that once your student’s Representation is posted in a publication, on a website, or social media, the Representation can be downloaded or copied by any computer user on or off campus or copied by anyone in its possession. By signing this agreement, you agree to release and relieve Sweetwater Union High School District, its Superintendent, Board of Trustees, employees, and other representative from any and all liability arising out of the production of or use of these Representations. Parent may opt-out of granting media consent by completing opt-out form and submitting it to school registrar at the beginning of the school year. Should you have any questions or require further clarification about the media consent or the opt-out process, please contact the school administration.
NETIQUETTE GUIDELINES
Netiquette is a portmanteau of net and etiquette, and refers to the socially acceptable rules of online conduct. The definition of netiquette includes self-presentation standards, behavior norms, and accepted forms of expression. Proper netiquette helps you avoid offending classmates, teachers, school staff, and other people in our network.
Be Scholarly
Do: Use proper language, grammar and spelling. Be explanatory and justify your opinions. Credit the ideas of others through citing and linking to scholarly resources.
Avoid: Misinforming others when you may not know the answer. If you are guessing about something, clearly state that you do not know the answer.
Be Respectful
Do: Respect privacy, diversity, and opinions of others. Communicate tactfully and base disagreements on scholarly ideas or research evidence.
Avoid: Sharing another person's professional or personal information.
Be Professional
Do: Represent yourself well at all times. Be truthful, accurate, and run a final spell check. Limit the use of slang and emoticons.
Avoid: Using profanity or participating in hostile interactions.
Be Polite
Do: Address others by name or appropriate title and be mindful of your tone. Treat people as if you were in a face-to-face situation.
Avoid: Using sarcasm, being rude or writing in all capital letters. Written words can be easily misinterpreted as they lack nonverbals.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Academic honesty is defined as completing all academic work without cheating, lying, stealing, or receiving assistance from any other person or using any source of information not appropriately authorized or attributed. Students are expected to keep their Microsoft Teams and Canvas usernames and passwords confidential; submit only original work and adhere to our school's policy on academic honesty. Doing one’s own work is essential to the academic and personal integrity of each student. To falsely take credit for work that belongs to another person or source is not acceptable behavior.
Plagiarism is the copying of another person’s work and/or the copying of material from another source (i.e. Internet or published) and taking personal credit for it.
Cheating is taking an examination/quiz in a dishonest way (i.e. having improper access to answers).
Contract cheating is paying or bribing someone to help you cheat.
Facilitation of academic dishonesty is helping others cheat.
Collusion working with others to cheat.
Data fabrication is misrepresenting the data and/or information.
Deceit is lying or falsifying information.
Participating in an acts of academic dishonesty is unacceptable and causes a student’s credibility to be in question. The consequences depend on the severity of the offense and are delineaded by school students handbook. *Students who use ChatGPT or similar systems for the purpose of plagirism or cheating are committing academic dishonesty.
STUDENT
a) I agree to meet regularly with my teachers as specified in my classes syllabi.
b) I will abide by all school rules and regulations. I understand that any violation could result in dismissal.
c) If I have a current individualized education program (IEP), it must specifically provide for enrollment in and exit from Independent Study.
d) My student rights and options have been explained to me.
e) I will complete my assignments to the best of my ability.
PARENT/GUARDIAN/CAREGIVER
a) I agree to be responsible in complying with all aspects of this agreement and to supervise the work of my student.
b) I understand that failure to do so may result in my student being transferred from Independent Study to an alternative classroom or to another school and/or legal action may be taken.
c) I agree to supervise my student in the completion of his/her Independent Study agreement.
d) I agree to work in conjunction with the Independent Study teacher(s) to provide a meaningful educational option.
e) I agree to provide transportation, reimburse for any school issued materials lost, stolen or damaged, and communicate with the school if student is going to miss school days.
The Sweetwater Union High School District prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer Dr. Vernon Moore at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 691-5564, vernon.moore@sweetwaterschools.org; Title IX Coordinator Susan Park at 670 L Street, Suite G, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 600-4900, compliance@sweetwaterschools.org; and Section 504 Coordinator Sonia Picos at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 691-5564, sonia.picos@sweetwaterschools.org