Independent Study and Online Instruction

Pathways to increased individuality, achievement and personalization.

Dr Vince CarbinoPrincipal City of AngelsLargest independent study program and online instructional program in the United States.24 school sites throughout LAUSD. Online education program that has students around the world.Serve up to 2300 students at a time.5,000 enrollments a year.Serve grades K-12.Continuous enrollment.Currently 60% of our students come from charter and private schools.Some students come for a few months, a few years or never leave us.

City of Angels Performance

Graduate 600 to 800 students a yearProvide three pathways to diplomaHave a English Learner re designation rate of 36%30% of our students are concurrently enrolled in collegeSBAC Results were 38% of students at proficiency in Language Arts 96% of students complete online classes with a C or better ( National average 30%)

What is independent study?

It is a alternative method of instruction.Students compete their classes through completion of homework (20-30 hours)Secondary students complete 6 to 8 classes a semester.It is an A through G, comprehensive program. IT is not credit recovery or remediation.Students can complete instruction through pen and paper, online or both.

Student profileStudents that can not attend 5 days a week, 6 hours a day at their regular school program due to “outside obligations.”Students that can do classroom work, but need highly individualized support.Students that have been victimized and need time to heal.Students who have agoraphobic behaviors.Students that are highly gifted and need individualized instruction.

Independent Studyvs

Home Instruction

Independent StudyCredentialed teacher instructs student.Program is WASC accreditedInstruction and content meet state education standards and is reviewed and audited.Student issued diploma that is accepted with public and private universities

Home InstructionParent or tutor teaches studentHome instruction is approved by state.Instruction and content determined by parent.Graduated by parents and often only private universities recognize “diploma.”

Online ProgramsDistrict

District reviews and approves online content and providersThe content providers must have content that is approved by UCOP.Students receive credit and diploma as any other student.

Charter School or organization contracts with online content and providers.No guarantees that the content is approved by UCOPStudent may not be able to transfer credit beyond Charter School if school is not accredited.Diploma can e issued by Charter organization.

PrivateOften use Khan Academy and or their own curriculum that are not approved by UCOP.Student is not able to transfer credit beyond private school.Diploma can be issued by private school.

Current online providers approved by UCOP

APEXE2020 ( Edgenuity)Scout

Individualization

Depth and spread of contentPacing ( acceleration)Embedded remediationConcurrent Instruction ( College)

Drop Out ProfileThe majority of urban dropouts are not “push-outs.” They no longer can attend in seat programs due to:

Taking care of sick parent or family member.Taking care of school age siblings so parents can workWorking shadow economy job to bring additional income into family.

Drop Out Recovery Model

Independent study allows child to fulfill family responsibilities and continue their education.Online programs can assist students working during school hours as they can access classes 24/7.Teachers can meet child at workplace or home

Independent Study Best Practices

From Association for Distance Education and Independent Learning:

Students meet face to face for supportive instruction daily to weekly based upon student need.Instructional guides or course syllabi are required with grading rubrics and textbooks or instructional materials.Testing is done to ensure measurement of learning outcomes and mastery of course content.Feedback is provided continuously to student

Online Instruction Best Practices

Botcher 2013, Designing for Learning:Be present with each course through communication toolsCreate dialogue that is balanced through communication tools.Set clear expectations, and more than finishing classGet feedback from students early in course.Focus on content resources, applications and link to support.Never issue partial credit.

Independent Study and OnlineIntensive Case Management

Australian Outback Education Program:Constant monitoring of produced student workDiscussing with student how it is going.Making adjustments in assignment load to prevent fatigue and burn out.Talk, email and text, and when to do each.

Closing thoughtsIndependent study and online content can increase access and increase increase personalization.There are downsides to this form of instruction. These must be considered.While not for every student, it is a viable instructional program for many students, when using best practices.

Contact information

Dr Vince Carbino, Principal24 hr: 323-321-2439vince.carbino@lausd.net