| Licking Valley Local School District |
| Administrative Guidelines |
2370A - INDEPENDENT STUDY
Independent study is available to staff to better meet the needs of students. Its purposes are:
| A. | to broaden curriculum content when the regular school program limits student growth and learning; | |
| B. | to provide students with an opportunity to make decisions (to select from a series of options) about their activities in school; | |
| C. | to place students in a more active role in the learning process; | |
| D. | to provide learning experiences tailored to individual interests, talents, and needs. |
Level I - The selection and the study is largely teacher directed. Frequent review and discussion with the teacher is required. Subject matter is closely related to class instruction.
Level II - The selection and the study is more student directed. The students must confer with the teacher once each week.
Level III - The student is responsible for selecting the areas and directing his/her own learning. S/He reports to his/her teacher by appointment. Projects may range far afield from regular course content.
Projects may be interdisciplinary in nature. Opportunities to work or study in other areas (laboratories, shops, etc.) or off campus may be arranged through the guidance counselor and the principal.
A student (group of students) who desires to participate should meet the following criteria:
| A. | approval of the building principal | |
| B. | expressed interest in undertaking the work | |
| C. | ability to identify goals or purposes | |
| D. | ability to manage time and resources | |
| E. | achievement in current course work |
Students who fail to maintain self-discipline and accomplishment both in course work and the option program will be phased out.
A completed option program project may take many forms, such as a term paper, an essay, a script, a film, a T.V. tape, an oral tape recording, etc. The final report should include:
| A. | a log showing how time was utilized; | |
| B. | a bibliography of materials used - print and nonprint; | |
| C. | an evaluation of the project. |
The contract-application for the selected option will be filed with the student, and/or guidance counselor.
When a student has initiated and successfully completed the program, it is to be noted in the student's permanent record and transcript.
A completed copy of the project together with the application-contract will be kept on file in the guidance office.
Role of Teacher
As in all learning, the role of the teacher in any educational option program is crucial. Specifically the teacher must:
| A. | assist students in defining the purpose and intended outcomes of their projects and in selecting methods which best ensure the purposes and outcomes are achieved; | |
| B. | meet with students involved on a regular basis to counsel, review progress, and to provide critique. Such critique should specify: |
| 1. | what is being accomplished as intended; | ||
| 2. | what isn't, and why; | ||
| 3. | how the student should function differently in order to accomplish desired results. |
Before being authorized to manage an option program, teachers must demonstrate working knowledge of the current literature concerning that type of activity.
Independent study is to be evaluated on the basis of how well the goals of the program are being accomplished and how well each student is achieving the expected results of his/her individual project. Assessment shall provide evidence of:
| A. | increased application of knowledge; | |
| B. | acquisition and application of needed skills and techniques. |
Teacher-student conferences throughout an option project can serve an evaluative function. Each should be recorded indicating dates, time, and results. A final conference involving the student, teacher, and guidance counselor is necessary for all level three projects.