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:
-
A letter to the student and/or parent/guardian
-
A meeting between the student and the teacher and/or counselor
-
A meeting between the student and the independent study administrator, including the parent/guardian if appropriate
-
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?