PAGE 3 OF 8 ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE ENTERPRISE CENTER ASHBY KINDLER
COPYRIGHT VIOLATIONS CITED FROM AROUND ALBEMARLE COUNTY SCHOOLS COMPILED
PAGE 3 OF 8 ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Independent Study Application

Page 3 of 8

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Independent Study Program Overview

The Independent Study Program encourages students to pursue intellectual, artistic, or career interests beyond what is offered in the present high school curriculum. With the aid of an adult mentor from the school or community, a student designs a 1.0 course of study for Pass/Fail elective credit.

Supervision of the student's program:

Mentor: A specialist with expertise in the student’s field of interest
- offers guidance, supervision, and evaluation.
- may be a school employee or a community member
  - is approved by the GRT and school administrator
School Independent Study Coordinator: Gifted Resource Teacher (GRT)
- is available for consultation
- maintains files of student reports
- facilitates final project presentation
- assigns grades and final credit
- Independent Study Evaluation Committee: Meets with the student as required by the Independent Study Coordinator to evaluate a project and assist in determining the final grade.

Scheduling:

A student should have at a minimum of

150 hours of study for one semester credit (1.0), or
150 hours of instruction for a full year credit (1.0).

Grading:

Pass/Fail elective credit.
A Pass grade is not computed in class-rank or GPA.
A Failing grade earns a “0” and is calculated with student’s GPA.

Eligibility:

Student demonstrates self-discipline, motivation, and the ability to work with a minimum of direction as evidenced in teacher recommendations; and
has at least a 2.5 grade point average.

Requirements: Applicant:

has a 2.5 minimum GPA,
submits completed program application,
has proposal approved,
submits Bi-Weekly Student & Mentor Reports, reflective journals and other documentation the Independent Study Coordinator and/or mentor requires,
maintains regular contact with Independent Study Coordinator,
adheres to established deadlines, and
participates in semester and/or year-end final project presentation.

Contact:

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Request for Independent Study

Student Name: Grade: ___

Email: __________________________________________

Guidance Counselor:

Independent Study for School Year: _____________

Full Year Fall Semester Only _____ Spring Semester Only

Title of Independent Study:

Proposed Mentor: Phone #

Email: _____________________________

Teacher completing recommendation form: A.

I have read the Independent Study Regulations and recognize the responsibilities required:

Student Signature: Date:

Signature of Parent/Guardian indicating their approval of request:

Date:

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Project Description

Outline for Proposal Describing the Project

Independent Study applicants must write and submit a proposal before an application is considered. They may make changes in the proposal after the project is approved with the consent of the Gifted Resource Teacher and mentor.

Format: typed, double-spaced, 12 point, New Times Roman or similar sanserif font.

Address the following points in your proposal. (This is not an essay.)

I. Define/describe the topic to be studied.

II. Explain why the topic should be studied outside of existing course offerings.

III. Describe your interest in the topic.

List subtopics you will cover during the study.
Describe how you will conduct your research and work.

Include a bibliography of materials related to your study.
How will you study your topic?

Describe final product/project/expected outcome.
Describe problems, needs, and list any materials you may require.
Secure your mentor’s signature to indicate approval of your proposal.

(The Gifted Resource Teacher is available to assist you with your proposal.)

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mentor Form: Independent Study Program

The Independent Study Program allows high school students to pursue individual interests that are beyond the scope of the regular curriculum. For their work, students earn elective credit. The student's course is graded pass or fail. The credit earned is not a substitute for any required credit. For example, an independent study in dance is not counted as the required fine arts credit.

In order to be accepted into the program, a student must submit a proposal and teacher recommendations, demonstrate an ability to work with a minimum of outside direction, and secure a mentor. The mentor is knowledgeable in the field of study and will regularly communicate with the student. However, the mentor is not expected to provide financial assistance or to spend an inordinate amount of time with the student.

PAGE 3 OF 8 ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT

You have been asked to mentor for an Independent Study.

This study is for the:

Fall semester Spring semester Full School Year for the year .

Please read the following mentor responsibilities, hold a conference with the above student, and if you agree to be a mentor, sign this form. Your signature indicates your acceptance of mentor responsibilities. Please note that Albemarle County does not provide payment for any services provided by mentors. The student should return this form to school.

Mentor responsibilities:

works with student to organize the study including research and development of the final project(s),
supervises the study and project development,
communicates with the student at least once every two weeks to evaluate student progress and to offer direction,
signs the Bi-weekly Student and Mentor report that the student completes,
completes the Final Semester Evaluation, and
communicates with the Gifted Resource Teacher/Independent Study staff as necessary and at the conclusion of the project for final evaluation.

I agree to accept mentor responsibilities:

Signature: Name:

Address:

Phone #: (home) (work)

E-mail address (required) :

If you have any questions, please contact the Gifted Resource Teacher at the student’s school.

Print a copy of this form and present it with an envelope to your selected teacher. The teacher will complete the form and return it to the Gifted Resource Teacher’s mailbox.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Teacher Recommendation Form A – Independent Study Program

Student: _____________________________ Grade: __________________________

Teacher: Relationship to Student:

Using the following scale, please evaluate the ability of the applicant to complete an independent project with a minimum of adult supervision.

(1) Self-motivation:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – very low 5 – very high

(2) Ability to complete work on time:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – never 5 – always (sometimes ahead)

Ability to work successfully without

outside direction:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – very dependent 5 – very independent

Demonstrates knowledge and use of

Research skills:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – never 5 – skillful

Demonstrates problem-solving skills:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – unable to solve problems without direction

5 – able to identify and solve problems with

little outside direction

In a short narrative, please cite specific examples of work habits and the degree of self-discipline and initiative shown by the student.

On the following scale, indicate the probability of this student successfully completing an independent project:

1 2 3 4 5 1 - no chance of success

5 - project will be superior

Reason for the above assessment:

This is a confidential form and will not be shared with the student.

Signature: __________________________ Date: __________________________

Print a copy of this form and present it with an envelope to your selected teacher. The teacher will complete the form and return it to the Gifted Resource Teacher’s mailbox.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Teacher Recommendation Form B– Independent Study Program

Student: _____________________________ Grade: __________________________

Teacher: Relationship to Student:

Using the following scale, please evaluate the ability of the applicant to complete an independent project with a minimum of adult supervision.

(1) Self-motivation:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – very low 5 – very high

(2) Ability to complete work on time:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – never 5 – always (sometimes ahead)

Ability to work successfully without

outside direction:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – very dependent 5 – very independent

Demonstrates knowledge and use of

Research skills:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – never 5 – skillful

Demonstrates problem-solving skills:

1 2 3 4 5 1 – unable to solve problems without direction

5 – able to identify and solve problems with

little outside direction

In a short narrative, please cite specific examples of work habits and the degree of self-discipline and initiative shown by the student.

On the following scale, indicate the probability of this student successfully completing an independent project:

1 2 3 4 5 1 - no chance of success

5 - project will be superior

Reason for the above assessment:

This is a confidential form and will not be shared with the student.

Signature: __________________________ Date: __________________________

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Termination of Independent Study Procedure

EARLY TERMINATION OF PROGRAM

Student-initiated removal:

Within the add/drop period:
The student submits a written request to his/her guidance counselor;
the termination may be approved in consultation with the Independent Study Coordinator;
the counselor removes course of study from the transcript.
After the add/drop period:
The student submits a written request stating reasons for the withdrawal to his/her guidance counselor;
The Independent Study Evaluation Committee
reviews the Bi-Weekly Student and Mentor Reports and other documents;
may interview the mentor, the student, and others;
may decide to:
counsel student to continue, or
remove all records of the course from the transcript, or
record a "W" (withdrawn without penalty), or
record a "WF" (withdrawn unsatisfactory).

Mentor-initiated removal:

The mentor submits a written request stating reasons for the termination of the study to the Independent Study Coordinator.

Independent Study Evaluation Committee
counsels student to continue with a new mentor, or
removes all records of the course from the transcript, or
records a "W" (withdrawn without penalty), or
records a "WF" (withdrawn unsatisfactory).

Sponsor-initiated removal:

The Independent Study Coordinator or Evaluation Committee may terminate the study for any of the following reasons:
- fails to submit Bi-Weekly Mentor Student, Mentor Reports, or other documents, or
- fails to show progress on Reports, or
- receives unsatisfactory evaluations from mentor, or
- fails to attend required meetings.

Independent Study Evaluation Committee may place the student on probation which requires:
a written plan of improvement, and
staff review.

APPEALS:

Students may appeal any decision made by the Independent Study Evaluation Committee to the principal and, through established School Board policy, to the School Board.

November 2010

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