Last Updated On: January 27th, 2022
Independent Study is an option of education that involves students working through their coursework separate from a classroom. The organization of independent study can be quite varied depending on the arrangement of the school providing it.
In California, as laid out by the Assembly Bill 130, independent study has set guidelines for different grade levels. These guidelines are:
“(e) (1) For pupils in transitional kindergarten and grades 1 to 3, inclusive, a plan to provide opportunities for daily synchronous instruction for all pupils throughout the school year.
(2) For pupils in grades 4 to 8, inclusive, a plan to provide opportunities for both daily live interaction and at least weekly synchronous instruction for all pupils throughout the school year.
(3) For pupils in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, a plan to provide opportunities for at least weekly synchronous instruction for all pupils throughout the school year.”
The wording of the actual bill can be challenging but there are articles that give a more approachable explanation of AB130.
Independent study is not a new practice, but it has gotten increased attention with the Covid pandemic. The transitional phase that is occurring, as many educational institutions are making plans to return to physical classrooms, is making independent study a more relevant issue than it has been previously. Independent study has traditionally been used by performers, athletes, students who wish to get ahead in their programs, and other students who need a program that frees them from the schedule or environment of a classroom. Recently this has included students with concerns about or exposure to Covid-19. Families with immunocompromised members may not wish to risk exposure to Covid through their children’s classrooms. Additionally, there are many temporary situations requiring students to learn outside the classroom related to Covid quarantine and isolation. With the increased attention to and practice of independent study, policymakers have searched for ways, such as AB130, to standardize the process and maximize its educational value.
The surge in independent study has led to some fears in families new to the process, but there are many benefits to independent study when it is well applied. By looking at common fears, we can see what areas of independent study need to be addressed by families considering independent study. By looking at benefits of independent study, we can see how it can be useful for students who enroll in it. By looking at how programs can be well arranged, we can see how programs can be evaluated for benefit and applicability for students.
Common Independent Study Fears
There are many common fears for families considering independent study.
Students will not learn the material as well.
Education is top priority, so it is not surprising that a new mode of teaching and learning would cause concern about whether a student will learn course materials as well as traditional methods. This fear is a very valid concern. There is a definite learning curve with online education, both for teachers and students. The amount and quality of learning that a student achieves depends on many factors. Families with this fear can make sure that they are investigating the independent study situation of their student. For a student to learn in any format, students, faculty, and families need to be educated and involved in the learning process. An independent study program with an experienced, involved instructor and an engaged student with strong study skills will result in deeper learning than an inexperienced, distant instructor and a distracted student with weak study skills. The reverse is also true. Fear about student learning in an independent study situation requires a look into the factors of success in learning and an analysis of these factors in the specific student and independent study program being considered.
Students will not get the support that they need.
This is a common concern about independent study that has an easier answer. Students in an independent study program at any level are matched with an educator. These educators are in place to support the student. There does not need to be fear about the student getting the support they need if families understand the process of independent study work. The difference between getting support in a traditional classroom and an independent study program is that a student, or family member needs to reach out for support. An instructor will not be observing the student directly, so they will not notice that help is needed. Getting support in class will require an email, rather than simply a raised hand. A response will likely not be instant, as students and instructors are not necessarily on the same schedule. However, quality teachers in independent study programs want to support students, so when students practice the important skill of asking for help, they will receive the support that they need in the class.
Students will not get the social interactions that they need or want from education.
Social interaction is an important skill for children to develop. Without the social interaction inherent in a classroom environment, arrangements need to be in place to build those skills in another way. Some independent study programs have social opportunities available. If they are not, other methods can be cultivated through academic, recreational, or social groups. If families plan for a social component for their student, the lack of classroom socialization does not need to be a problem. Planned socialization through groups can even have a benefit, as the social contacts can be monitored and changed more easily than those in a classroom. This can make removal from negative socialization, such as bullying, easier than it would be in a traditional class situation.
Schools will not accept credit or grades from independent study work.
If an independent study program is approved and pursued through an approved school, the credit and grades from the courses will transfer. If this is a fear, a school counselor can confirm the transferability of the course and its grades.
Families will need to provide more time/energy to their students.
This fear can be very important for families where there is not a lot of additional time/energy available for a student due to work or other requirements of family members. The amount of time required of the family will depend on the independence of the student. An independent student will be able to navigate many of the requirements of an independent study course with their teacher without extensive additional input from family members. A less independent student may require more family supplied support in an independent course.
Common Independent Study Benefits
There are many benefits to independent study, which have previously only been gained by small numbers of students.
Students can complete their work with a more flexible schedule.
Independent study can allow students to take more coursework, to work around time conflicts, or to work at their preferred times. These benefits can allow a student to progress more quickly, to pursue additional activities with family, to explore personalized interests, and/or to work more effectively on their coursework.
Students develop skills in self-motivation and time management.
Independent study requires students to work with less supervision from teachers. With guidance from faculty and/or family members and from their own experience, students will practice transferable skills in self-motivation and time management that will be invaluable in future courses and employment, whether remote or in-person.
Interactions with faculty can be more personalized.
Although there is less scheduled time with teachers, the interactions often occur individually or in much smaller groups than in physical classrooms. Therefore, students can have meaningful interactions that are more personalized to their needs.
Students can learn without distraction or harm.
Independent study allows students to work in individualized locations. For students who are distracted in a classroom environment or who have been attending classes with harmful situations like bullying, independent study can provide a situation more beneficial to learning.
Students develop increased technology skills.
Much of the work occurs online, which can give students mastery of programs, strategies, and techniques that a classroom would not give them. This is becoming increasing important as our world moves toward a larger digital landscape.
Students can build stronger relationships with families.
Much of a student’s time in a traditional classroom is spent at school. With remote learning, a student has opportunities to develop a closer family relationship. Now that students and parents can work from home more easily, they can reap the benefits of proximity and schedule syncing.
Questions to Ask about Independent Study Programs
Based on the fears and benefits mentioned, there are questions that a family can ask when considering the applicability of independent study for their student.
Independent study programs can be well arranged or poorly arranged, and the benefit for the student will be affected by the quality of the class in addition to the situation of independent study in general. Here are some considerations to apply when evaluating an independent study program for a particular student.
How well trained are the teachers in remote work?
There are many training programs for online instruction. An excellent teacher can give better independent instruction with the training in transferring their skills to an online format.
How supportive are faculty of the independent study?
Not all faculty have an interest in providing independent instruction. A teacher with a passion to supporting independent students can give great instruction even in a program with weak aspects.
How available is social interaction?
Is social interacting available within the program, or will the student receive social development in extracurricular activities?
What amount of synchronous time is required/available?
Depending on the student, synchronous instruction can be a benefit or a weakness of a program. Knowing the student’s needs, a family can make decisions that benefit the student based on a course’s synchronous offerings and requirements.
How much family support is required/available?
All families have differing resources available for supporting a student during independent study. An honest evaluation of how much family support a student will need and how much time and energy is available from the family will help set the student up for struggle or success.
With the influence of Covid-19 on student attendance in on-site instruction, attention to independent study has grown. With attention to the concerns, benefits, and practical considerations of independent study, families can make educated decisions about the role of independent study in their students’ lives.
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