Independent Study Non-Classroom-Based Schools

UC staff and faculty have established a policy that would govern the instructional conditions under which a non-classroom-based, independent study program/school would be eligible to establish and maintain a UC-certified "a-g" course list. New schools are required to be aligned with the policy at the time of submitting a "New School" application, and schools that currently have a course list will have to be aligned to the new independent study policy by the beginning (September) of the 2009-2010 school year. The policy ensures the academic integrity of the school, defines teacher qualifications, and sets a requirement for the amount of student/teacher interactions.

In mid April 2008, policy announcement letters (doc), a policy statement (doc) and alignment applications (doc) were sent to all independent study schools that had either contacted UC, were classified in Doorways database as an independent study school, or were identified by the Department of Education as offering primarily an independent study program. For additional information regarding the non-site based policy please contact HSUPDATE.

Non-Site-Based Independent Study.
UC faculty continue to discuss a policy to clarify the conditions under which non-site-based independent study schools and programs will be eligible to establish and maintain an "a-g" course list. Among the discussion items is a policy that would require students to (a) spend some time engaged in interactive instruction and/or academic tutoring/advising, which may be provided on site or through virtual means, (b) have regular interaction with teachers who are experts in the discipline of study, and (c) take exams and other major assessments under the supervision of a proctor. Currently, all new schools, including independent study schools, begin the process of establishing a course list by completing a "New School Information Sheet," accessible on the "a-g" Guide web site at www.ucop.edu/doorways/guide.

Q: Can non-site based independent study schools establish a course list?