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Students urge board to preserve ISL option for athletes; cite state rule enabling alternative credit
Summary
Two Chatham High students testified that the ISL (Individualized Student Learning) option enables dancers and other athletes to meet graduation requirements; they cited NJAC 6A §8 and asked the board to retain or revamp ISL with safety and standards protections.
Two Chatham High School students told the board the district’s Individualized Student Learning (ISL) option is critical for students who train off-campus and cannot participate in school sports every day.
Emily Smith said she trains at least three hours a day and is taking Advanced Placement and honors classes; she said ISL (sometimes called Option 2) can legally satisfy gym-credit requirements under state regulation NJAC 6A §8, and offered to help with background-check contract language to address safety concerns. “By law, I should be permitted to achieve my gym credits through the independent study of ballet,” Emily said.
Sofia Smith, a senior and long-time ISL participant, said ISL provided study-hall time that helped her finish a Girl Scout Gold Award and complete college applications. “ISL provided me with the flexibility to pursue rigorous academics, a deep artistic interest, and meaningful community engagement,” she said, and asked the board to preserve the program for students whose extracurricular training is not recognized as a school sport.
Board members acknowledged the benefits students described but reiterated concerns about private programs meeting state standards and ongoing safety monitoring; one board member said background checks for private providers are important but not a complete guarantee if contractors change personnel. Administrators said the ISL structure stems from NJAC 6A provisions allowing boards to approve individualized learning opportunities and that the district will continue to refine safeguards and programmatic standards.
No immediate policy change was enacted at the meeting; board members committed to continue dialogue and review program safeguards and compliance with state standards.
