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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2470 Self-Directed LearnersINSTRUCTION 2470 Page 1 of 5 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Self-Directed Learners The Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Board of Trustees offers students the opportunity to be designated as a self-directed learner for the purpose of being granted additional flexibility in meeting the District’s graduation requirements. This allows students to tailor their education activities to meet individual learning goals developed in consultation with the student’s supervising teacher and their parent/guardian. Designation of Self Directed Learner 1. Students designated as a self-directed learner shall have a right to flexible learning to support their postsecondary goals. Flexible learning may include: a. Flexible attendance requirements; b. Attending school virtually; c. Extended learning opportunities as described in Policy 2465; and d. Any other agreed-upon learning inside or outside the classroom This may include, but is not limited to curriculum compacting, acceleration, or credit by examination. 2. This flexibility may be used to allow the student to make use of the District’s educational resources in customized ways and/or to allow the student to pursue educational opportunities outside of those offered by the District. 3. The District maintains a policy of not charging a fee for any course for which academic credit is awarded. In keeping with this policy and with the State Constitution’s requirement to maintain a system of free public schools, the learning activities incorporated into the student’s program of flexible learning may not include activities for which a fee is charged. 4. Additionally, the learning activities incorporated into the student’s program of flexible learning may not include activities for religious purposes. 5. A student’s self-directed learner status may be terminated if the teacher supervising the student’s self-directed learning determines that the student is failing to meet the requirements laid out in this policy or is failing to complete assignments within the time provided. 6. Each year, the District shall report to the State Department of Education the number of students in attendance who are designated as self -directed learners. INSTRUCTION 2470 Page 2 of 5 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Self Directed Learners Eligibility Requirements 1. To be designated a self-directed learner, a student must meet the following criteria: a. Demonstrate mastery of content knowledge through grades, assessments, or mastery-based learning rubrics. b. Demonstrate mastery of addition and multiplication for numbers 0 -10, as well as related subtraction and division problems. Students in grades kindergarten through 4th grade shall be exempt from this requirement. c. Demonstrate timeliness in returning assignments, self-motivation, ability to establish goals. d. Reach age-appropriate learning outcomes. e. Parental request for reasonable academic accommodation. 2. Additionally, students in 8th grade or higher must show that they have made an informed choice of postsecondary career and education goals by: a. Creating a full student learning plan as defined in I.C. 33 -1001(30), and keeping it up-to date; and b. Working toward their postsecondary goals and supplementing their student learning plan, if applicable, with such activities as participation in extended learning opportunities, advanced opportunities, challenging courses as described in Policy 2435, or successful completion of an online course. c. The Board directs the Superintendent or designee to develop a process for a student to document their post-secondary goals for the purposes of this policy. 3. The Board directs the Superintendent or their designee to determine ways of establishing whether a student has met all of the criteria above. These measures may be based on the following and/or on other measures the Superintendent or their designee deems appropriate: a. GPA and/or achievement of a minimum grade for all classes or for specified classes; b. Scores on specified assessments; c. A portfolio of student work; INSTRUCTION 2470 Page 3 of 5 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Self Directed Learners d. Teacher reports of whether the student meets all of the criteria listed above or specific criteria. Designation of Self-Directed Learners 1. To be designated a self-directed learner, a request must be submitted to the building principal. The request process may be initiated by a student, their parent/guardian, or one of the student’s teachers. The request must include the following: a. Permission of the student’s parent/guardian if under 18 years of age. b. A recommendation that designation as a self-directed learner would be appropriate and helpful to the student by at least one of the student’s teachers. This may include the recommendation of the teacher who initiated the request. c. A description of the exemptions from standard instruction practices and requirements sought for the student. If a student is to be absent from the classroom during the usual school day, this must include a statement of who will be responsible for supervising the student. d. An explanation of how this flexibility will aid the student in meeting their goals as well as mastering grade-level content. For students in 8th grade and above, this must include an explanation of how flexible learning will further the student's progress toward identified postsecondary goals. e. Criteria the student will be required to meet to maintain their designation as a self-directed learner, such as: i. Continued mastery of content knowledge and skills, academic growth, progress toward postsecondary goals (if the student is in Grade 8 or higher), or other measures of student learning as specified further in the request; ii. Compliance with the District’s rules regarding student conduct, except for any from which the student is specifically exempted; and iii. Submission of regular updates outlining the flexibility sought for upcoming instruction and how it will aid the student in meeting their goals. INSTRUCTION 2470 Page 4 of 5 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Self Directed Learners 2. Students who are in grade 8 or higher must also include a description, written by the student, of their self-determined personal life goals, including an explanation of how attending specific classes will lead to the fulfillment of personal life goals in addition to the identified post-secondary goals. 3. An updated request for designation as a self-directed learner must be submitted for each school year in which the student is to have this designation. 4. The request must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the trimester. The deadline may be waived at the building principal’s discretion. 5. The application will be reviewed by the building principal and any other staff they deem appropriate. A decision will be made within one week of receipt of the application. The student will be notified in writing of the status of the application. If additional information is needed, the information must be submitted within one week of receipt of the request. Credit for Flexible Learning Opportunities 1. To receive credit for activities a student participates in as part of their flexible learning activities, a middle or high school student must: a. Successfully complete an accredited online or correspondence course or a class taught by an Idaho school district or charter school; or b. Earn college credit as allowed by District policy; or c. Successfully challenge a course as described in Policy 2435. Ending Self-Directed Learner Status 1. The Superintendent shall designate a staff member to supervise the self -directed learner’s educational program. This staff member shall support the student in their flexible learning, monitor their academic progress, and monitor whether they are meeting the criteria described in the request for self-directed learner status. If a teacher determines that: a. A student is failing to meet these criteria; or b. A student is failing to complete assignments within the time provided the teacher may submit to the building principal a written recommendation to rescind the designation of self-directed learner. c. The building principal shall determine whether to rescind the self -directed learner status. INSTRUCTION 2470 Page 5 of 5 Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 Self Directed Learners 2. A student’s parent or a student with the permission of their parent (if the student is under 18 years of age) may submit notice to the District that they wish to terminate the student’s flexible learner status at the end of the trimester or school year. Denied Request or Student Directed Learning 1. A student whose request has been denied may file a grievance as described in Policy 4110 Public Complaints and Grievances and according to relevant state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Cross References: Parental Rights #2428 Dual Enrollment #2460 Student Fees, Fines, and Charges/Return of Property #3440 Public Complaint and Grievances #4110 Legal References: Constitution of the State of Idaho, Article IX, Section 1 Legislature to Establish System of Free Schools Constitution of the State of Idaho, Article § XI Religious Test and Teaching in School Prohibited I.C. § 33-512D Self-Directed Learner Designation I.C. § 33-1001 Definitions Cross Reference: Selection and Adoption of Curricular Materials #2540 Adopted: 11-08-2023 Reviewed: Revised: