District staff describe three independent-study proposals; one converted to internship

Presenter for Kutztown Area SD outlined three independent-study requests for the 2024–25 school year and described how the district processes such requests under policy 1-18. Two of the three requests received approval through the district channels; the third was converted into an internship because the work aligned better with the FFA program’s practical requirements.

The first request that did not proceed as an independent study was a deep-dive agricultural program to work directly with a classroom teacher on animal-judging processes; staff said it was shifted to an internship to better match hands-on learning and competition practice. The second request was a half-credit independent study combining music and theater performance, described as a one-semester intensive rehearsal and performance experience. The third was described as a focused German “3.5” study designed to prepare a tenth-grade student for the AP German exam by targeting specific grammar and language competencies prior to taking the AP course in a later year.

A committee member asked what initiates an independent study; a staff member answered that “it’s typically the student going to a teacher and expressing an interest in something that we don’t offer,” and noted guidance counselors sometimes facilitate the conversation. The presenters said approved independent studies include assessment maps across marking periods and are graded each term.

Next steps: staff will continue to finalize assessment plans and transcript mapping; the committee moved on to a separate MTSS presentation afterward.