| Southern Local School District |
| Bylaws & Policies |
2320 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
The Board of Education may approve participation in guided learning experiences, other than the regularly prescribed curriculum, for properly qualified students in order that such student may:
| A. | extend the learning experience begun in the classroom; | |
| B. | develop judgment and self-reliance in the conduct of their own learning experience; | |
| C. | relate the school world to the world of work and learning around and beyond the school; | |
| D. | draw upon community resources as well as school resources for their educational program; | |
| E. | include a greater variety of learning experiences within their educational program; | |
| F. | identify and explore an area of particular interest; | |
| G. | set personal learning goals and work, with appropriate staff guidance, toward achieving them; | |
| H. | learn to use various research tools; | |
| I. | learn to draw sound conclusions from research findings. |
The principal may approve and designate the number of units of guided learning experiences credit towards graduation to be awarded upon successful completion of each such course.
The Superintendent shall ensure the development of procedures for the implementation of independent study. Such procedure will require:
| A. | specified, measurable, instructional objectives for each individually planned guided learning experience; | |
| B. | that each student conducts his/her study under appropriate staff guidance; | |
| C. | monitoring the progress of each student; | |
| D. | certification of the completion of each guided learning experience based upon the original specified objective. |
When considering an application for approval of a guided learning experience, the principal shall consider the qualifications of the student, the objectives established for the course, a description of the method of study and research to be undertaken, the staff members assigned to advise the project, the manner in which the project will be evaluated, and a proposal for the number of units of credit to be awarded for the course.
The Board directs that only those students shall be admitted to other guided learning experiences who have demonstrated academic proficiency, maturity of judgment, a strong motivation to learn, and self-reliance.
Applicants shall be limited to students who have completed the eighth (8th) grade.
Other guided learning experiences need not be limited to participation by a single student but may involve more than one or a group of students, subject to Board approval.
A.C. 3301-35-02 (C)