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The Best of Both Worlds: Maintaining a one-on-one relationship between students and supervising teachers while capturing the benefits of small classroom instruction. Independence School. Typical Independent Study. Students come once a week for an average of ½ hour of instruction time.
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The Best of Both Worlds: Maintaining a one-on-one relationship between students and supervising teachers while capturing the benefits of small classroom instruction. Independence School
Typical Independent Study • Students come once a week for an average of ½ hour of instruction time. • The only college option after graduation would be a community college due to lack of “a-g” courses.
Independence School Classroom Small Classes of six to 10 students
Reality Check • With a caseload of 35 students (7 each day) it was impossible to follow the University of California requirements that “Students are expected to spend at least one hour per week per ‘a-g’ course engaged in interactive instruction and/or academic tutoring/advising” (http://www.ucop.edu/a-gGuide/ag/content/iss_policy_statement.doc). This means that a student taking two courses at a time would require two hours one-on-one time weekly with an instructor. • To follow this requirement teachers would only be able to see two students/day, 10 students/week.
What makes us different? • Three 12-week “years” • Each year consists of 2 six-week semesters • Students “on-track” take two courses each trimester – 60 credits/year • Students that are credit deficient take three courses each trimester – 90 credits/year • Master schedule is adjusted each trimester to fit the student needs • College prep and non-CP courses offered
Traditional School 1 Academic year = 6 courses/10 credits each = 60 credits Semester 2 6 classes = 30 credits Semester 1 6 classes = 30 credits Trimester-based Independence School Trimester 2 (second 12 weeks) Trimester 1 (first 12 weeks) Trimester 3 (third 12 weeks) Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2 2 classes = 20 credits 2 classes = 20 credits 2 classes = 20 credits 3rd class if necessary for an additional 30 credits over the course of the year
Thrilled Independence High then, it was, you went once a week and gave a packet, got a packet. The teachers were all wonderful, but the delivery wasn’t so good. . . .All the changes were positive in every single way. Now it’s like we are a regular normal school that is also an independent study school. Not every school can say that. . . Overall the outcome of the past three years has been a big success and for me personally, a wonderful experience. Serish Bibi 12th grade student
Happy Before, I felt like I was on my own to get my work done. The classes help a lot because the students can ask questions and get answers, so I understand better when that happens. Freshman year I was always confused. Now that we have the small classes, I can get all the explanations I need before I go home. Alexsandrea Lewis 12th grade student
Thankful I am writing to tell you how impressed and thankful I am for Independence High and your fabulous staff. When I brought my two children to orientation, as you were aware, I had one very excited child and one very reluctant child. It was from that very day that I had a great feeling about your school. . . My daughter’s experience has been nothing less than wonderful. Her teachers make her feel successful and important. . .! They take an interest in HER …and give her every opportunity to do well, not to mention the high quality of the instruction she receives. She was so happy that her brother (the reluctant one), asked me if he could switch over to Independence. . . By the way, he too is very happy to be there, and is having an equally fulfilling experience!! We have the best supervising teachers, classroom teachers and Principal! It is you and your staff’s dedication that will make a difference in the education of children… “The WHOLE child”. I know because we are experiencing it right now! Sincerely, Dianna Torres (Lodi educator and mother of an 11th grader and 12th grader)
Appreciative The changes that Lodi’s Independence School has put into place far exceeded our expectations. Our daughter spent her first three years of high school at a private school. She was barely getting by. Even though she was trying very hard, her grades were very low and there was no one offering to help her at the private school. Last summer, we saw an article in the local paper about how the new Independence School was changing how it was delivering instruction and that sounded like the perfect fit for our daughter. She has been at Independence all year and she is thriving. The class sizes are small and she gets as much individual attention and support as she needs. She has gone from a girl who “had” to go to school to a girl that “wants” to go to school. She has gone from being behind in the class to being at the front of the class. Michael P. Gallagher Father of 12th grade student
Supervisory Teacher • Maintains the one-on-one relationship with students • Oversees student’s progress • Maintains personal connection with home • Tutors students • Keeps attendance records • Manages auditable folder
Electives • Piano • Advanced Art • Drafting • Ceramics • Textile Arts • Computers • Graphic Design • A.P. Art • English Support • Strategic Algebra • iPad in Social Science • Student Government • CAHSEE Support • Life Management • Child Care • Journalism
Objectives Given a poem, students will identify the mood, and will accuratelysite at least three instances of imagery, rhythm, or repetition within the poem which contribute to that mood. Grade 11, CA Standard: Literary Response 3.3 Audience Behavior Condition Degree
Safe Many of our students would be drop-outs if it weren’t for Independence School. We have a large number of 13th-graders, a significant population of culturally sheltered students, 18+-year old Special Education students, andstudents with medical concerns. We are where the students that have been bullied find refuge – Independence School is a safe and welcoming place for all students.
$$$ • Before, Independence School had two years of costly audits with fines totaling over $200,000 • For the past three years, Independence School has been “finding free” – no fines imposed!
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A First! For the first time in the history of Independence School (13 years), the school received a six-year accreditation from the WASC committee. 6
WASC Comments “Independence School is to be commended for its willingness to explore new and innovative ideas on how to structure an independent study school. It is possible that Independence School will become a model for independent study schools throughout the state. All of the members of the Visiting Committee work at independent study schools and they will be watching the progress of Independence School with great interest in the coming years. The task of integrating independent study with small group instruction is not an easy one. The Visiting Committee believes that the school has the district support, on site [sic] leadership and the dedicated staff needed to be successful.”
