Parent+Information

GENERAL INFORMATION Parent Survey:Parent Survey

I__NDEPENDENT STUDY__ Independence High School offers independent study as an option to the regular class instruction. On independent study, students do not usually attend regular classes. They usually meet with a teacher individually, on a weekly appointment basis. The teacher will assign the student coursework based on signed Master Agreement and Course Contracts. The completed work is then evaluated and graded by the teacher at the next meeting. Students at Independence High School are expected to complete at least **20** hours of assigned work per week.

__ INDEPENDENT STUDY MYTHS __ There are a lot of myths about Independent Study. Some of the most common are: 1. Only ONE-HOUR per week is required. 2. Work is very easy. 3. It’s just a drop-off program. 4. Student can meet with teacher any time she/he wishes. 5. There is plenty of free time at home. 6. There is little or no homework. 7. There is little or no testing.

__ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL __

WHAT TYPE OF SCHOOL IS INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL?

Independence high school offers independent study whereby a student completes part or all of her/his school work off campus instead of in daily attendance at school. In Independent study, the student completes work at home and reports to school as often as necessary (usually once a week) to discuss her/his work with her/his teacher.

IS INDEPENDENT STUDY EASIER THAN REGULAR SCHOOL? No. It is more difficult for many students. Disciplining yourself to study at home four or more hours each day is harder than many students envision. It is very important for students to have good time management and study skills to be successful in Independent Study.

CAN I GET CREDITS FASTER AT INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL? Successful students in a comprehensive high school usually earn 30 credits per semester by taking six classes per semester. The quality and quantity of work required for Independent study is designed to be comparable to the work at the comprehensive high schools. However, the number of courses each student may complete may depend on the commitment of the student and individual circumstances. One course constitutes 100 hours of work per semester.

Students requesting more than 30 credits per semester will require recommendation from the teacher and approval of the counselor and/or principal. No new courses will be added within five weeks of the end of the semester.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M WORKING ON SCHEDULE? When you begin a class, you and your parents sign a contract or written agreement. The contract specifies what work must be completed each week. If in doubt, ask your teacher.

CAN I WORK FASTER? The minimum amount of work due weekly is 20 hours. YOU and your teacher can set the maximum based on your motivation and ability. You should inform your teacher you wish to accomplish more than the minimum and make a plan to complete all required coursework at an accelerated pace.

I AM A CONCERNED PARENT--HOW DO I KEEP MYSELF INFORMED OF MY SON/DAUGHTER’S PROGRESS? The contract specifies the assignments your student should complete each week. It is your responsibility to see that your student accomplishes her/his weekly assignments. Call us to check on your student’s progress any time during a semester, or schedule an appoinment with your student’s teacher. Please check the calendar for dates of Mid-Term Progress Reports an Report cards. It is the student’s responsibility to deliver the Progress Reports to you. The final semester Report Cards are mailed home.

WHEN DO I ATTEND SCHOOL? You must attend at minimum once per week. Students are given a permanent appointment time and are expected to be at school with their teacher each week at the same time. IN AN EMERGENCY, we will try to change the appointment time. PARENTS AND/OR STUDENT’S MUST CALL OR EMAIL AHEAD to arrange a different (temporary) appointment during the same week. If an appointment falls on a holiday or pupil free day, students report at the regular time on the next school day. For Winter and Spring Recess, report at the time and day of the regular appointment when school reopens.

WHAT DO I DO IF I AM ILL? Call in for a new (temporary) appoinment. You may not have a parent or friend bring your work in for you.

CAN I COME TO SCHOOL AS OFTEN AS I NEED HELP? Some courses, like mathematics, science and computers, require more attendance and help from a teacher on a more regular basis. Any time you feel the need for assistance, call or email your teacher and ask when it would be convenient to see her/him.

WHO DO I SEE IF THE WORK IS TOO DIFFICULT? Inform us immediately if you are having difficulty with the work assigned. We will make every attempt to assist and accommodate you.

WHAT IS YOUR ATTENDANCE POLICY? For Independence High School, completed weekly assignments equates to full attendance for the week. Missing assignments will also affect grades and the amount of credits earned.

If you have excessive absenses (three), you will be referred to the counselor and/or principal. Poor attendance may result in removal from Independent Studies.

TRANSFERRING TO OR FROM INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL A transfer to Independence high School is possible only with a referral from the comprehensive high school or a referral from CWA (Child Welfare and Attendance). A Voluntary Transfer Form must be signed by the student, parent and school personnel.

When students wish to transfer back to their home high schools, they must inform their teachers and meet with the counselor. A plan must be made at the beginning of the semester prior to the transfer semester. Students must meet guidelines in order to transfer.

WHAT KIND OF DIPLOMA DO I RECEIVE FROM INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL? In order to receive a high school diploma from Independence High School, students must complete 210 credits in the required courses and have passed both parts the English and Math CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam). Independence High School is a fully accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges).

WHAT TYPE OF GRADUATION CEREMONY DOES INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL OFFER? Graduation ceremonies at Independence High School are traditional cap and gown events. Students may participate in the ceremony if the student has met all requirements for the diploma. Students who have completed all of the 210 required credits but have not passed one or more portions of the CAHSEE may also participate in the ceremony but will receive a Certificate of Completion and not a diploma.

Students who complete the graduation requirements in the summer may participate in the following years' ceremony.

STUDENT INFORMATION

__ ATTENDANCE ACCOUNTING __ Attendance is granted to independent study students based upon completed homework assignments. Students have one ADA (Average Daily Attendance) month to complete assigned work unless prior approval is given for more time. for full attendance, all students are recommended to complete a MINIMUM of 20 hours each week or 80+ hours in an ADA month period. Students are behind schedule unless 20 or more hours are completed each week.

The attendance credit is earned in whole day (4 hour) segments. If a student completes 20 hours of school work in a week, the teacher willl credit him/her with 4 hours of attendance for each school day of the week. If the student completes 16 hours in a given week, his or her attendance would be computed as present for 4 days with 1 day unexcused absence.

For attendance purposes, homework credit can only be given in the month originally assigned. No attendance can be accepted for longer than four weeks between assignment and completion of a student’s work, except when special or extenuating circumstances justify a longer time. These exceptions must always have prior approval.

__ FREQUENCY OF APPOINTMENTS __ Students are required to meet with their supervising teacher for a minimum of one hour every week at their scheduled appointment time. Teachers may provide additional time if needed. All work is due ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT UNLESS THE DUE DATE IS EXTENDED.

Students are obligated to be present at the regularly scheduled time. This time is mutually agreed upon at the beginning of the semester. Since meetings are usually once per week, doctor and all other appointments should be scheduled on other days and will not be accepted as a valid reason for missing an appointment. All other appointments should be scheduled around this Independence High School meeting time.

__ ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PRACTICES __ Students must achieve 210 credits to graduate. The following credits indicate the proper grade level classification for 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade levels. FRESHMAN (9TH).....................0- 60 SOPHOMORES (10TH).............60-120 JUNIOR (11TH)..........................120-160 SENIORS (12)............................160-210

Students earn 5 units of credit for meeting the requirements of the Course Contract for each class. Each course is designed to be comparable in quality and quantity to courses from the comprehensive high schools.

__ GENERAL INFORMATION __ 1. Students are expected to earn 30 credits per semester. Additional courses must be recommended by the teacher and approved by the counselor and/or principal.

2. Hours for credits are earned for passing work (D or better only). Your completed work is your attendance.

3. There will be no credits earned for just attending the appointment.

4. For students transferring to Independence High School from another high school, grades and credits earned as of the date of transfer shall be transferred to the same classes at Independence High School if available.

6. An incoming grade of "D" or better is required for credits to be transferred for a class (with and an incoming grade of "F", the student will start at the beginning of the course).

__GRADES__ Students will earn grades based on the traditional grading system (A, B, C, D, F). Some courses such as CAHSEE Preparation and work experience are graded Pass/Fail.

__WITHHOLDING PUPIL'S GRADES, DIPLOMA, AND TRANSCRIPT__ Section 48909 (b) of the california Code provides that a school district may withhold a pupil's grades, transcripts, and/or diploma when the pupil has a financial obligation (such as lost or damaged books).

The statute requires that the parent be given the opportunity to meet and discuss any financial obligation with a school official. If the official determines that the parents are unable to pay the obligation, the parent must be given the opportunity to perform voluntary work in lieu of monetary payment.

__ ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS __

The Alhambra School District Board of Education adopted the following graduation requirements:

__Course/Subject__ __Minimum Required Credits__ English .............................................40 credits Math..................................................30 credits Science..............................................20 credits Social Science...................................30 credits World History 10 credits U.S. History 10 credits Government 5 credits Economics 5 credits Physical Education.............................20 credits Fine Arts or Foreign Language..........10 credits Electives.............................................60 credits.

CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM (CAHSEE) Beginning with the graduating class of 2006, all California public school students must take and pass the High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) to receive a high school diploma.

Students in grade 10 are required to take the exam. Students will have opportunities each year to retake part(s) of the exam not passed. The exam contains to parts, math and English. Students who do not pass both portions of the CAHSEE, but meet all other graduation requirements, will receive a "Certificate of Completion" and will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

__ INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA __ .

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