Travis Unified will consider closing independent-study school, keep independent-study options tied to home campuses

At the April meeting, Travis Unified educational staff briefed the board on a recommendation to formally close the district’s independent study school while preserving independent-study programming for students who need it.

Nick, the district’s education services presenter, said the proposal is administrative: closing the school entity does not eliminate independent-study as an instructional option. He stressed the distinction between short-term independent study (typically one to 15 days for travel or short absences) and long-term independent study (placements for students expected to be away for 16 or more days). “Closing the school does not mean eliminating long-term independent study as an option for our students,” he said.

Staff described historical enrollment trends: independent study surged during the COVID years and then dropped afterward to levels below the pre-COVID baseline. The district reported that long-term independent-study enrollment is limited and placement requires review by a placement review board and a signed master agreement required by education code.

Under the proposed model, students needing long-term independent study would remain formally tethered to their home schools rather than being assigned to a separate independent-study school; district staff said that would make transitions back to on-campus instruction more seamless and better reflect the instructional-strategy intent in board policy.

No formal action was taken. Nick said the board will hear a formal recommendation and consider action at the May board meeting after further research and staff follow-up.