One goal of the Hamden Board of Education is the development of self-directed learners. A modem school program should provide students with an opportunity to learn to become sufficiently independent of school and teacher so that students can and will carry on their own learning enterprises successfully after their formal schooling is ended. 

Independent study is a plan of instruction which deliberately aims to guide learners in their own independent work. It is a separate phase of instruction tailor-made for the individual student and guided by the teacher in order to build on the student's abilities as an independent learner. Under independent study, the teacher's role shifts from a director of learning to a resource for the learner. 

Independent study may take any of several patterns: 

1. As a substitute for organized instruction
2. As honors work
3. As a culminating activity
4. As corresponding study
5. As programmed instruction
6. As a supplement to group instruction
7. As individualized instruction

Objectives:  

1. To broaden and strengthen curriculum content thereby overcoming the usual limitations of the regular school program
2. To provide students an opportunity to make decisions and to select from a series of options about their activities in school
3. To place students in a more active role in the learning process
4. To provide learning experiences tailored to the interests, talents, and needs of individual students.
5. To enable students to develop confidence in their ability to learn, to think imaginatively, and to explore ideas.
6. To develop m students the ability to comprehend, apply, analyze, and synthesize information.
7. To provide students an opportunity to develop responsibility through developing and following a plan of study.
8. To foster in students a continuing interest in learning.

The Superintendent of Schools shall develop rules for the proper administration of independent studies. 

 

Policy adopted:  April 11, 2000

Hamden Public Schools     Hamden, Connecticut

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6141.4 Regulation

Independent Study 

The mission of the Hamden Board of Education is for students to reach their highest potential while entrusted in our care. Independent study is a plan of instruction created or developed to guide learners in their own independent work. It is a separate phase of instruction tailor-made for the individual student and guided by the teacher/tutor in order to enhance the student's abilities as an independent learner. 

Description: The Independent Study Program is a program designed to allow students to pursue an advanced and/or specialized area of study as an independent course thereby enhancing students' educational experience. Independent Study courses may not be used to meet credit distribution requirements and are not used when computing students' G.P.A. Independent Study requests will only be approved when the Hamden High curriculum and schedule are unable to satisfy the academic aspirations of a student. It is the responsibility of the Independent Study Coordinator to monitor this program. 

The following conditions are required for approval of an Independent Study: 

Course: 

1. The course is an advanced and/or specialized area of study/college course NOT currently offered at Hamden High School.
2. A college course is defined as a course of study that extends the learning beyond the secondary level and is offered by a university or college.
3. When a new course is requested, a detailed course outline and syllabus will be submitted to the Independent Study Coordinator who will confer with the subject area director/department chair to determine appropriateness of course and formally establish the proposed course of study for the student.
4. Independent Study course will have established general number used for student's official records.
5. No independent study may begin later than two weeks after the beginning of a school semester.

Qualifications and Responsibilities of Tutor/Teacher for independent study which is not a college course: 

1. The tutor must be a Connecticut certified subject area teacher in the area for which the Independent Study has been requested. 
2. The tutor must be employed by the Hamden Public Schools.
3. The tutor must provide instruction and appropriate assessment of assigned student.
4. The tutor must cooperatively establish meeting times with student.
5. The tutor must submit a final grade to the Independent Study Coordinator upon completion of course.
6. In the event of a request for a new academic course, the tutor MUST submit a course description and syllabus to the Independent Study Coordinator who will confer with subject area director/department chair to approve the course.
7. A midterm and/or final assessment which has been graded must be submitted to the Independent Study Coordinator, who will submit to the high school administration for review.
8. Tutors are required to plan twelve (12) two-hour sessions each semester. Students should be assigned 8 hrs. of homework per session. Instruction should take place at Hamden High School, any of the Hamden Public Schools or the Miller Library.
9. Tutor must keep attendance records.
10. Tutors will be compensated in accordance with the current teachers' contract for hours tutored beyond the school day.

College/University: 

At the conclusion of the course, the student must submit a copy of the college's transcript that indicates the course grade and credit standing to the Independent Study Coordinator. 

Student: 

1. The student must complete the attached "Request for Independent Study Form" within the first three weeks of the semester of planned study. Appropriate di rector or chairperson approval is needed. The Independent Study Coordinator and building principal (or his designee) have final approval.
2. The student must complete the attached "Statement of Responsibility" form. His/her parent and/or guardian must also sign this form.
3. If possible, the student should carry six credits in his schedule.
4. The student will respect the privilege he is given and maintain high standards of integrity in his interactions with his tutor and the Independent Study Coordinator.

Independent Study Coordinator: 

1. The Independent Study Coordinator will monitor the Independent Study Program. He will collect, organize, and process all the requests for Independent Study.
2. The Independent Study Coordinator will determine appropriateness of requests and then establish course general numbers for student records.
3. The Independent Study Coordinator will confer with tutors, content area directors, department chairs and building administration as necessary.
4. The Independent Study Coordinator will be responsible for all business related activities necessary to maintain a successful Independent Study Program.

 

Regulation approved: January 24, 2008 

Regulation revised: December 18, 2018 

Hamden Public Schools     Hamden, Connecticut