Assembly Bill 130 Independent Study FAQs

Information concerning changes to independent study under AB 130 is provided in the following notifications and information from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the California Department of Education (CDE):

AB 130 Changes to Independent Study Requirements

Independent Study Notice Pertaining to AB 130 and Alternative Schools and Programs of Choice

2021–22 Attendance Accounting and Instructional Time Independent Study FAQs

Education Code 51745(c) states that if the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team determines it is appropriate, a student with a disability can participate in independent study. Education Code 51745(a)(3) does not say otherwise. That section states that “[e]ducational opportunities offered through independent study may include, but shall not be limited to, the following . . . (3) Individualized alternative education designed to teach the knowledge and skills of the core curriculum. Independent study shall not be provided as an alternative curriculum.”

The California Department of Education does not interpret this language to preclude any students with disabilities from being placed in independent study, because Education Code Section 51745(c) says they can. Nothing in federal or state law precludes a student with an IEP from participating in independent study with any supports or modifications the IEP team determines to be appropriate and necessary to provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

The longstanding reference to an “alternative curriculum” in Education Code 51745(a)(3) simply states that local educational agencies (LEAs) may not provide independent study as an alternative curriculum. When a student is placed in an independent study program, they should receive access to the same curriculum they received when participating in in-person instruction, not an alternative curriculum to the curriculum they were receiving when participating in in-person instruction.

Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) are required to offer independent study to all students upon request, including SWDs as determined appropriate by the IEP Team.

The EC 51745(c) states:

An individual with exceptional needs, as defined in Section 56026, shall not participate in independent study, unless the pupil's individualized education program developed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 56340) of Chapter 4 of Part 30 specifically provides for that participation.

EC 51747(g)(7) requires that written agreements for each independent study pupil include:

A statement detailing the academic and other supports that will be provided to address the needs of pupils who are not performing at grade level, or need support in other areas, such as English learners, individuals with exceptional needs in order to be consistent with the pupil's individualized education program or plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and pupils requiring mental health supports.

If you believe that independent study is an appropriate placement for your student, you should contact your student’s IEP team to inform them that you are requesting independent study. You may wish to request an IEP amendment to document independent study as the appropriate placement for your student, or that an IEP meeting be held to discuss this option if the LEA does not agree to amend the IEP without a meeting.

If your student is in quarantine, you should work with your student’s teachers and IEP team to determine the best way to support your student’s access to the general education curriculum and to continue working on their goals. Your student’s IEP should contain a description of the means by which the IEP will be provided under emergency conditions, such as an epidemic, if the instruction or services cannot be provided to the pupil, either at the school or in person for more than 10 school days.

Yes, enrollment in independent study is considered a change in placement for a special education student. This requires an agreement of the parent/guardian and LEA in an IEP meeting, or via amendment without a meeting.

Yes. AB 130 has not changed the ability to amend an IEP without a meeting. A parent/guardian and LEA may agree not to convene an IEP team meeting to make changes to a child’s IEP and may instead develop a written document to amend or modify the current IEP (34 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 300.324[a][4]). If the parent/guardian and the LEA agree on an independent study placement then this change can be made via an IEP amendment, but if there is disagreement or further discussion is needed then the team should hold an IEP meeting to determine an appropriate placement.

No. Nothing in the statute supports imposing such a condition on participation in independent study. The written policies that must be adopted and implemented for independent study focus on ability to make satisfactory educational progress and provision of independent study content, aligned to grade level standards, that is substantially equivalent to in-person instruction (EC 51747[b] & [c]). As with services in classroom-based settings, students who require adult assistance or support may be able to make satisfactory educational progress and to receive substantially equivalent content with such assistance and support. Accordingly, students with exceptional needs may participate in independent study only if the student’s individualized education program provides for such participation (EC 51745[c]). Such determination should, consistent with state and federal requirements, be based on an individualized determination about whether a student can be provided FAPE and otherwise make satisfactory educational progress under their IEP, including provision of special education and related services, which may include adult assistance or support as appropriate.

No. EC 51745(a)(6) provides that, for the 2021–22 school year, a school district shall offer independent study if a parent or guardian determines that in-person instruction would put a student’s health at risk. Although the statute provides that SWDs needs may participate in independent study only if the student’s individualized education program provides for such participation (EC 51745[c]), this does not authorize a school district to refuse to consider providing independent study to a student solely on the basis of the student’s disability. Rather, consistent with state and federal requirements for special education, such determinations should include an individualized determination about the ability to provide FAPE in an independent study setting. A school district is required to provide prior written notice (PWN) when it refuses to change the placement for a student with a disability.

The LEA and parents/guardians should continue to work together to find an agreeable solution. While the LEA and the parents/guardians are working to find the best option, the student needs to be receiving services as indicated on the operative IEP, and the LEA needs to ensure that services are being provided pursuant to that IEP. If an LEA and parents/guardians cannot come to an agreement regarding a student’s placement, the parties can utilize the dispute resolution processes. Information on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options can be located by contacting the LEA or the special education local plan area. In December of 2020 the Director of Special Education, Heather Calomese, provided an informational letter explaining COVID-19 and Special Education Dispute Resolution, state mediation and complaints. Parents/Guardians may wish to contact their local Parent Training and Information Center, or Family Empowerment Centers for additional information and support.

AB 130 does not include the offer of independent study for preschool services for SWDs. The LEA should collaborate with their preschool program to address concerns regarding appropriate placements.

AB 130 does not preclude students 18–22 from participating in independent study as appropriate.