Independent Study/Assembly Bill 130

For the 2021-2022 school year, each school district in California is required to offer an Independent Study option to students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction, as determined by the parent or guardian. California Assembly Bill 130 requires us to inform you of your option to enroll your student in an Independent Study program instead of in-person instruction at your school of residence. 

In SBUnified, Independent Study is offered through Alta Vista School and is open to students in grades TK-12. Independent Study is for any student not attending in-person instruction. SBUnified will not be offering instruction through a distance learning model this school year.

ENROLLMENT IN INDEPENDENT STUDY: To enroll in Independent Study at Alta Vista for School Year 21-22, or for inquiries and support related to enrollment, please contact Alta Vista Registrar Joel Lazcano at jlazcano@sbunified.org or 805-966-0883 x7013.

Under the direction of an Alta Vista Independent Study teacher, students in Independent Study will be required to follow the same curriculum standards, as well as expectations for work completion and expected academic progress, as students enrolled in our in-person instructional program. The teacher will develop and supervise the student’s learning plan and evaluate the student’s work and learning progress.

Instructional sessions may be organized in a multi-grade format. Assignments will be delivered and submitted online. Textbooks, instructional materials, and a SBUnified technology device will be issued to students. A written learning agreement will be completed and signed prior to beginning the program. For students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), staff will conduct a review of your student’s IEP needs to ensure they can be met through enrollment in Alta Vista Independent Study. If you have a question regarding the appropriateness of this program for your student, please contact Director of Special Education John Schettler at jschettler@sbunified.org or (805) 963-4338 x6248.

“Synchronous instruction” refers to classroom-style instruction, small group or one-on-one instruction, delivered via Zoom or in-person, involving live, two-way communication between student and teacher.

TK-5th-grade elementary students who participate in the Alta Vista Independent Study Program will receive instruction from the teacher of record with primary support from the parent/guardian in working independently through assignments, following the learning plan and utilizing district materials assigned weekly by the teacher. 

The Parent/Guardian will be required to support their student in opportunities for:

• Grades TK-3: daily synchronous instruction 

• Grades 4-5: daily interactions with staff and weekly synchronous instruction 

6th-8th-grade students who participate in the Alta Vista Independent Study Program will work independently through assignments, following the learning plan and utilizing district materials assigned weekly by an Independent Study teacher.  

The Parent/Guardian will be required to support their student in opportunities for:

• Grades 6-8: daily interactions with staff and weekly synchronous instruction  

9th-12th-grade students who participate in the Alta Vista Independent Study Program will be enrolled in one of the existing Alta Vista High School programs as best determined in conjunction with the Alta Vista administrative team and academic counselor.  For inquiries about 9th-12th grade program options, please contact Alta Vista School Counselor Susan Snyder ssnyder@sbunified.org 805-966-0883 x7015. 

The Parent/Guardian will be required to support their student in opportunities for:

• Grades 9-12: weekly synchronous instruction  

Continued participation in Alta Vista Independent Study program is dependent on maintaining adequate participation and learning progress. Per AB130, students who fail to regularly participate in instruction or complete assignments will be disenrolled from the Independent Study Program. 

SBUnified will offer a plan to transition Independent Study students whose families wish to return to in-person instruction as quickly as possible, and no later than 5 instructional days after the request is received, based on space availability. 

Is the right of the parent/guardian to request a parent-educator conference prior to enrolling your student in Independent Study to further inform your decision and ensure that it is an appropriate program for you and your student. Requests for a conference may be made by contacting Independent Study Specialist Shannon Sadecki at ssadecki@sbunified.org or 805-966-0883 x7022. 

ENROLLMENT IN INDEPENDENT STUDY: To enroll in Independent Study at Alta Vista for School Year 21-22, or for inquiries and support related to enrollment, please contact Alta Vista Registrar Joel Lazcano at jlazcano@sbunified.org or 805-966-0883 x7013.