EMCSD COVID-19 Information & Resources » AB130 & Independent Study

AB130 & Independent Study

What is AB130?
  • AB130 is new state legislation for Independent Study. It states that LEA's (Local Educational Agencies) must offer an independent study option to students and families whose health would be at-risk by in-person instruction;
  • The option to select independent study is determined by parent/guardian;  
  • The LEA must provide opportunities for live interaction and synchronous instruction.
AB130 Independent Study - Parent/Guardian Notification
 
LEAs shall notify parents/guardians of:
  • The options to enroll the child for in-person instruction or independent study;
  • Their right to request a student-parent-educator conference meeting before enrolling or disenrolling a pupil from Independent Study;
  • Students’ rights regarding procedures for enrolling, disenrolling, and re-enrolling in independent study;
  • Synchronous and asynchronous instructional time that a student will have access to as part of independent study.
What is Independent Study?
  • The Independent Study program is an alternative program to traditional classroom instruction.
  • The Independent Study Program is not the same as the 2020-21 distance learning program.
  • The Independent Study Program is primarily an asynchronous model which requires students to work independently, without a teacher for the majority of the day and through the support of a caregiver at home instead.
  • Live interactions and synchronous learning will occur during short time blocks.
  • Families are eligible to opt-in and opt-out of Independent Study at any point throughout the year. You can submit a meeting request for Independent Study enrollment by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
AB 130 EMCSD - Learning Agreements
  • A Learning Master Agreement must be signed within 30 days from the start of pupil enrollment
  • Must identify Independent Study as an optional educational alternative;
  • Agreement will include the duration of the program
  • How students will submit assignments, and how academic progress will be reported and communicated with the parent/guardian;
  • Students will need to submit daily assignments to their independent studies teacher;
AB 130 Instructional Schedule Requirements
Daily Live and Synchronous Instruction:
  • Daily synchronous instruction for students in grades TK-3
  • Daily live interaction and synchronous instruction at least weekly for students in grades 4-8
  • Asynchronous time - 3-5 hours with caregiver (depending on grade)
 
Instructional Minutes - Synchronous/Asynchronous
 
Grade Levels Live Interaction/Synchronous Instruction Asynchronous/Independent Work* Total Instructional Minutes
TK/K 120 minutes
(2 hours)
115 minutes
(1 hour 15 minutes)
235 minutes
1-3 130 minutes
(2 hours 10 min)
180 minutes
(3 hours)
310 minutes
4-6 130 minutes
(2 hours 10 min)
195 minutes
(3 hours 15 min)
325 minutes
7-8 130 minutes
(2 hours 10 min)
212 minutes
(3 hours 32 min)
342 minutes
AB 130 Tiered Re-Engagement
 
If a student is not successful in the independent program, The independent study administrator and/or supervising teacher shall promptly address concerns if/or when the terms of the student's written agreement are not in order. The following will occur: 
  1. A letter to the student and/or parent/guardian
  2. A meeting between the student and the teacher and/or counselor
  3. A meeting between the student and the independent study administrator, including the parent/guardian if appropriate
  4. An increase in the amount of time the student works under direct supervision
Procedures for tiered re-engagement strategies for all students who
  • Are absent three school days or 60 percent of the instructional days in a school week;
  • Are In violation of the students’ written agreement;
  • Desire to return to in-person instruction from independent study.
 
Engagement Strategies include, but are not limited to:
  • Verification of current information
  • Notification to parents/guardians of lack of participation within one school day of absences or lack of participation
  • An outreach plan to assess student needs
  • Pupil-Parent-Educator conference
  • A plan to transition students to in-person instruction when requested-- no more than 5 instructional days after requested by parent/guardian
AB 130 Considerations for Families
  • Does my child demonstrate the motivation, commitment, organizational skills, and academic skills necessary to work independently?
  • Was my child successful in distance learning in the 2020-21 school year?
  • Is my child working at or above grade level?
  • Am I or my child’s caregiver able to commit to supporting my child’s learning 3-5 hours daily?
  • Would my child’s health be put at risk by in-person instruction?