Objective:

The major objective for this year-long Independent Study Master Agreement is to enable the student to keep current with assigned work in order to meet grade level standards and advance to the following grade level. 

Methods of Study:

The content is aligned to grade level standards that is substantially equivalent to in-person instruction. Online resources and subsidiary agreements (including the course syllabus, and/or course contracts) for assigned courses and credits will include descriptions of the major objectives and activities of the course of study covered by the agreement and the methods for evaluating student work. Any modifications to this course of study will be documented in ParentVUE and the Student’s Google Sheet record (PLP). Activities to reach the assigned objectives may include: core curriculum materials, reading, independent research, essays, and other educational activities. 

Methods of Evaluation:

Academic evaluations of the work will be made on the same basis as is used in the regular classroom for similar work. Academic evaluations of the work will include a variety of methods including but not limited to: review of assignments by teacher, observation, teacher-made evaluations, assessments, and proctored exams. ECHS Flex does not teach sectarian or denominational doctrine directly or indirectly to students attending the charter school. Collection of samples of original student work by stated school deadlines is required for participation in the program. The pupil’s academic progress is communicated to the pupil’s parent or guardian via ParentVUE/StudentVUE (CLP) and the Student’s Google Sheet record (PLP).

Resources:

Resources include, but are not limited to: single subject credentialed teachers, core curriculum, lesson manuals, supplementary course material, and special education resources if necessary. The school shall ensure the same access to all existing services and resources, including school staff, credentialed teachers, textbooks, and supplementary materials, in the school in which the pupil is enrolled pursuant to Section 51748 as is available to all other pupils in the school. ECHS will confirm that the pupil has or provide the pupil with connectivity and devices adequate to participate in the educational program and complete assigned work. 

Conditions of Independent Study:

• Independent study is optional. Students who choose independent study have the option of returning to the classroom at any time at their district of residence school. 
• Instruction may be provided for an EC 48915 (expulsion) or 48917 (suspended expulsion) student through independent study only if the student has the continuous choice of classroom instruction at their district of residence school or program such as Continuation or Opportunity Education. 
• For students in grades 9-12, no more than nine (9) school weeks or one quarter may elapse between when a teacher makes an assignment and the date by which the student must complete the assigned work for purposes of apportionment. 
• As per Education Code 51747, the Board has determined that students must maintain a certain level of satisfactory educational progress based on the following indicators:
  • 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 set forth in paragraphs (4) and (5) of Section 52060.
  • The completion of assignments, assessments, or other indicators that evidence that the pupil is working on assignments.
  • Learning required concepts, as determined by the supervising teacher.
  • Progressing toward satisfactory completion of the course of study or individual course, as determined by the supervising teacher.
• As per Education Code 51747, the Board has determined that the following number of missed assignments will trigger an evaluation of whether it is in the best interest of the student to remain in independent study:
  • A student does not generate attendance for more than 10 percent of required minimum instructional time over four continuous weeks of the LEA’s approved instructional calendar; 
  • A student violates the written independent study agreement.
  • Completing less than eighty percent (80%) of the school’s assigned work over a period of four (4) weeks
  • Failure to submit 4 assignments (a week’s assigned work) to the supervising teacher for two (2) consecutive school weeks
  • Missing 50% of the required meetings (synchronous instruction) with the Mentor Teacher over a period of four (4) weeks
• Students in violation of this written agreement will trigger tiered re-engagement strategies that shall include, but are not limited to:
  • Verification of current contact information for each enrolled pupil.
  • Notification to parents or guardians of lack of participation within one school day of the absence or lack of participation.
  • A plan for outreach from the school to determine pupil needs, including connection with health and social services as necessary.
  • A clear standard for requiring a pupil-parent-educator conference to review a pupil’s written agreement and reconsider the independent study program’s impact on the pupil’s achievement and well-being consistent with the policies adopted in this agreement.
    • The Evaluation of Continued Enrollment, triggered by any of the bolded items above, will be delivered to the parents and to the student during a parent-pupil-educator conference. Written evaluation findings shall also be kept in the student's school record. If the student fails to address the issues which led to the evaluation within the timeline determined in the written evaluation, the school may remove the student for non-compliance with the Independent Study Master Agreement. A written record of the findings of any evaluation made pursuant to this policy shall be treated as a mandatory interim pupil record. The record shall be maintained for a period of three years from the date of the evaluation and, if the pupil transfers to another Califrnia public school, the record shall be forwarded to that school.
• Pupils who are not performing at grade level, or need support in other areas, such as English learners, 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. 704), pupils in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and pupils requiring mental health support will be evaluated by the Student Services department and the school counselor to determine appropriate academic and other supports that may be required.
• An individual with exceptional needs, as defined in Education Code 56026, may participate in ECHS Flex if the student’s individualized education program specifically provides for such participation. If a parent or guardian of an individual with exceptional needs requests independent study, the student’s individualized education program team shall make an individualized determination as to whether the student can receive a free appropriate public education in an independent study placement. A student’s ability to work independently, the student’s need for adult support, or the student’s need for special education or related services shall not preclude the individualized education program team from determining that the student can receive a free appropriate education in an independent study placement.  (EC 51745(c))
• Parents/guardians will ensure that their student participates in any state-mandated standardized testing, unless exempted by law.
• Parents/guardians have read, understand, and agree to be bound by all the rules and other provisions set out in the ECHS Flex’s Student-Family-School Compact in order to be enrolled in this independent study program. Any breach may result in a review of this Independent Study Master Agreement and the student’s placement in this independent study school. The signature below of the parent/guardian grants permission for the specified student to participate in independent study as outlined in this Independent Study Master Agreement.
• Student will meet face-to-face with their teacher, unless other arrangements are made between the teacher and student, a minimum of 1x/ every week between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday at the ECHS campus located at 1868 East Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027.

Please Click Next to sign your portion of the Independent Study Master Agreement.

Agreement to Terms:

We have read, understand, and agree to all the conditions of independent study detailed above and to the terms set forth in this Independent Study Master Agreement, and we acknowledge that any violation may result in removal of the student from this independent study program. (NOTE: All signatures must be in original handwriting, including the student signature, regardless of the student’s age. Typed signatures are not acceptable.The use of an electronic signature shall have the same force and effect as the use of a manual signature.California law requires the student to sign this agreement. A document with a missing student signature or missing dates is not valid. A parent, legal guardian, or legal caretaker must sign the document for all students under the age of 18.)

This agreement is designed to promote excellence in teaching and learning. The ECHS Flex goal is to help each student reach his/her full potential. To achieve this, the home and school must work together in the learning process.

STUDENT COMMITMENT: In order to be successful at ECHS Flex, I will:

• Attend my classes, be on time, and be prepared by bringing completed assignments, textbooks and necessary school supplies. Failure to attend could result in an Evaluation for Continued Enrollment or other school discipline. 
• Comply with the ECHS dress and behavior codes.
  Show respect for people and property, including school instructional materials.
• Maintain academic integrity by performing assignments and tests on my own unless otherwise directed by the teacher, properly documenting the words and ideas of others, and being present for tests and exams.
• Strive to maintain a high quality of schoolwork and submit assignments on time.
• Communicate with my teachers if I have difficulties meeting my responsibilities to complete assignments.
• Be at school, home, work, or be otherwise supervised by my parent/guardian when not at school during traditional school hours (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). 

FAMILY COMMITMENT: In order to promote success for the student named in this contract, I will: 

• Provide or arrange for timely transportation to and from school.
• Send this student to school in clothing that complies with the ECHS dress code.
• Ensure that this student gets adequate rest and attends school on a regular basis.
• Notify staff of any concerns or problems that may affect school attendance or performance.
• Provide a time and place for quiet study at home and monitor completion of assignments.
• Assume financial responsibility for the care and return of all instructional materials and textbooks.
• Attend conferences with student and teachers whenever needed.
• Participate/volunteer in school-related activities whenever possible.
• Monitor and be responsible for this student’s activities during daytime hours when not at school.

SCHOOL COMMITMENT: The ECHS Flex staff will do all within our power to help this student be successful, including the following: 

• Improve pupil learning by maintaining excellence and high standards in the curriculum and classroom.
• Supply clear school rules and procedures in a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provide personalized learning in ways that will motivate and encourage this student.
• Supply periodic academic and behavior evaluations to student and family.
• Clearly communicate concerns to student and family regarding behavior issues, missed assignments, or at-risk academic performance. (One assignment equals one day’s worth of work in all courses the student is enrolled in. At-risk academic performance is a D or F grade on a single assignment or as a grade average.)
• Advise student and family of ways to support pupil learning.
• Assist student and family in accessing community resources.

Please click next to sign your portion of the agreement ackowledging that you have read and understand the Student-Family-School Compact.

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