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Board hears first reading of revised independent-study policy that shortens short-term minimum and shifts long-term thresholds
Summary
At a first reading of BP 6158, presenter Josie Wilson told trustees the minimum for short-term independent study will drop from three days to one and that long-term independent study thresholds change (from 14 to 15 days); the policy also phases long-term options to secondary grades (6–12). No action was taken; the policy will return for future consideration.
The Glendora Unified School District Board on Aug. 26 received a first reading of a revised independent-study policy (BP 6158) designed to align district procedures with recent state law changes.
"The first change ... minimum of time for that short term independent study. It was 3 days. Now it's 1 day," presenter Josie Wilson told the board while walking through about 10 pages of updates prompted by a new state Senate bill.
Wilson said the revisions also shift long-term independent-study thresholds: what had been 14 days is now 15 days (long-term defined as 15 or more school days), and the district is phasing the long-term/goal option out of elementary grades so the option will be offered at secondary levels (grades 6–12) only. She explained that some timing changes allow the district to recover average daily attendance (ADA) while balancing teacher workload for packet preparation.
Trustees asked clarifying questions about ADA recovery, the distinction between short-term and long-term independent study, and contract timing. Trustee Merkley said short-term independent study is commonly used for students dealing with illness or family needs and urged better messaging to families about attendance and ADA implications. Presenter Wilson confirmed short-term contracts may be collected at any time during the school year but noted master agreement language and dates will be updated; board members were told the listed review/adoption dates will be corrected when the policy is finalized.
This was a first reading; no vote was taken. The item will return to the board for a future meeting with revised dates and any final edits.
