OverviewAlternative Education

Program

Parent’s Choice:

Primarily educate their children at home

Enroll in a high performing, innovative educational program

This voluntary program gives parents the opportunity to:

Provide instruction to their children under the guidance of a credentialed teacher.

Assist the credentialed teacher in providing instruction.

Be in both a school and home environment.

Have professional guidance from supervising teachers and the program coordinator.

The program is an alternative to classroom instruction consistent with OPA’s high quality course

of study and is not an alternative curriculum.

OPA’s Independent Study Program

provides: Students the opportunity to

pursue an education along with their peers.

A bridge between the school and the community.

A challenge for each student to excel in areas of special interest.

The same state-approved texts

and instructional materials used at OPA

are provided to families in this program.

Our teachers work directly with parents and students:

To coordinate an educational plan.

To recommend and model proven instructional strategies.

To evaluate student progress.

The result is that parents, students and consulting teachers form a

team to optimize student learning.

Between the years of 1999 and 2003, The National Center for Education Statistics, graphed the estimated number of homeschooled students and grade equivalent for the ages 5 through 17. It shows that 95 percent of homeschooled

students are at or above grade level.

The bar graph from the National Center for Education Statistics, shows the percentage of homeschooled students, ages 5 through 17 with a grade equivalent of kindergarten through 12th grade, whose parents reported various reasons for

homeschooling in 2003.

1 These include safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure.2 Parents home school their children for many reasons that are often unique to their family situation."Other reasons" parents gave for homeschooling in the PFI-NHES:2003 include: It was the child's choice; to allow parents more control over what child was learning; and flexibility.

Level One:

On-Campus Workshops&

Home-Based Instruction

Students complete grade level standards work

at home.

Students and parents are invited to attend various grade level

instructional workshops throughout the week.

(At least one every 20days)

Level One:On Campus Workshops &

Home Based Instruction

The parent attends one grade level group meeting

a month with the assigned teacher.

Students are able to participate in extra-curricular activities

on campus.

Criteria for EnrollmentFor a student to achieve success in the Independent

Study Program, it is essential to demonstrate:

The desire to participate in an alternative education program which features an alternative instructional strategy.

The ability to work independently to complete assignments that meet grade level standards and course objectives.

The ability to establish regular attendance patterns for meetings with the teacher twice a month.

Families, who are interested in the Independent Study Program, should:

Attend a pre-enrollment meeting for OPA.

Complete and submit a school enrollment packet.

Attend an Independent Study Information Meeting or meet with the IS Coordinator.

Submit an Independent Study Application to the program coordinator.

Placement1. When ALL paperwork is completed and received by the Independent Study Office, it is reviewed and evaluated.

2. The order of entrance into the Independent Study program is based on the individual student’s rank order on OPA’s placement and waiting list for each specific grade level.

Placement3. Upon acceptance into the

Independent Study Program, the parent is contacted by the Independent Study Coordinator to schedule an orientation date to meet their teacher.

4. At this meeting, parents will receive an Independent Study Master Agreement, and State Standards for your child’s grade level.

Special Education Students:

To engage in Independent Study a student with special needs that has an Individualized Education

Plan (IEP) may do so only to the extent his or her IEP specifies Independent Study as the instructional

method.

Courses of StudyAll subjects specified in the

California Standards Test Blueprints are offered to participants in this program.

Coursework is entirely aligned to state standards of educational excellence.

Assignments are equal in quality and scope to curriculum provided for students enrolled in

traditional classroom settings in OPA.

In addition, students may participate in

instructional classes at OPA which

may include:

Science Experiments

Mind Institute

Physical Education

Foreign Language

Computer Lab

Multiple Intelligences Enrichment

Library Services

…or other specific educational opportunities.

Sample Schedule

Oxford Preparatory Academy Charter SchoolGrade K-8 Independent Study Program – Instructional Workshops

Kindergarten March Schedule

Monday

Tuesday (Every Other Week))

11:45 - 12:15 IS Workshop

12:15 - 12:40 Snack & Recess

12:40 - 1:00 Science Lab

Wednesday

9:00 - 10:00 IS Workshop

10:00 - 10:35 Snack & Recess

Thursday

10:40 - 11:10 Italian

11:10 - 11:35 Snack & Recess

11:35 - 12:10 IS Workshop

12:10 - 12:40 Computer Lab

Friday (Every Other Week For All Students)

9:25 - 9:55 Music

9:55 - 10:15 IS Workshop

10:15 - 10:35 Nutrition Break & Recess

10:45 - 11:15 PE

Oxford Preparatory Academy Charter SchoolGrade K-8 Independent Study Program – Instructional Workshops

Sample Schedule

Fifth Grade March Schedule

Monday

9:30 - 10:15 Monday Morning Assembly

Tuesday

8:45 - 9:30 IS Workshop

9:30 - 10:20 Science Lab

10:20 - 10:35 Silent Sustained Reading & Journal Writing

10:35 - 10:55 Nutrition Break & Recess

10:55 - 11:30 IS Workshop

11:30 - 12:00 Mind Institute in the Music Room

12:15 - 12:40 Play First

12:40 - 1:00 Lunch

1:10 - 1:40 Band

Wednesday

Thursday

12:15 - 12:40 Play First

12:40 - 1:00 Lunch

1:10 - 1:40 Chinese

1:40 - 2:20 PE

2:20 - 3:10 IS Workshop

3:30 - 4:15 Mind Institute in the Computer Lab

Friday

8:30 - 9:20 Mind Institute in the Music Room

Band Block (May Only Attend One Session of the Instrument You signed Up To Play)

9:25 - 9:55 Brass

10:05 - 10:35 Woodwinds

10:45 - 11:15 Percussion

12:45 - 1:15 Mind Institute in the Computer Lab

Sample Instructional Workshop Classes

California State Standards:

Language ArtsReading Comprehension (Expository Text), Writing Strategies, Literature, Phonics, Spelling, Word Analysis, Vocabulary, Written Conventions

Mathematics

Number Sense, Problem Solving, Basic Facts, Fractions, Geometry, Measurement, Algebra and Functions, Graphing, Quadratics and Polynomials, Logic

Science

Physical, Earth, Life, Scientific Method, Periodic Table and Structure of Matter

Social Studies

Heroes & Holidays, Geography, US History, Ancient Civilizations, Middle Ages

Also, extra-curricular activities will be offered, such

as:

Field Trips

ASB

Cheerleading

School Newspaper

School Yearbook

Sports

…and much, much more!

As a supplementary support, parents will

be required to participate in educational

workshops and in-service training

opportunities, which will include:

Homework Assistance

Effective Lesson Planning

Multiple Intelligences

Students and parents can visit the OPA website which

will include:

A calendar of events

Further information to support high academic achievement

Necessary Forms

On-line programs

AccountabilityParents and teachers work together to evaluate

student progress.

Trimester grades are entered into the school’s record.

Report cards will be issued at the same intervals as a traditional school.

The teacher maintains all official grade books.

AccountabilityStudents may demonstrate progress

through a wide variety of work, including:

Completed assignments and projects

Written tests and reports

Oral presentations

Standardized tests

Other competency assessments.

Accountability

Independent Study students are included in the California STAR testing program, given each spring to all students enrolled in

grades 2 through 8.

The reports generated by each student’s test result, may be used by parents as an additional evaluation of student progress and

achievement

Independent Study attendance credit is based on the completed work by the student using the teacher’s

judgment of time and value of the work completed.

Work assignments must be equivalent to a full school day that would have been required of the

student if the student were in a regular classroom.

To be counted for attendance, the work must be turned in by the due date.

A monthly attendance log must be

maintained daily and submitted

by the parent at the end of the month.

Parent Responsibility

The parent is an instructor and along with the teacher helps the student be successful academically.

The parent provides transportation to OPA for workshops, classes, etc.

The parent keeps daily attendance logs.

The parent attends one group and/or one individual meeting a month with the assigned teacher.

Parent ResponsibilityThe parent works with the teacher to provide a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) for their student.

Both parents and teachers will correct all assignments.

The parent provides structure and support to the student on a daily basis.

Criteria for Removal fromIndependent Study

A parent requests approval for the return to regular education classes if an opening in the designated grade level occurs. This is also based on the student’s original ranked number on either the placement or waiting list.

A student/parent fails to satisfactorily complete the conditions set forth in the IS Agreement which include:

Failure to meet consistently with the teacher in independent study.

Failure to turn in assignments.

Independent Study FAQ’sIf I voluntarily sign my child up for the IS Program, do I forfeit my rank on the placement or waiting list?

The IS Program is a part of Oxford Preparatory Academy Charter School. Therefore, your child will be a student enrolled in OPA while maintaining their rank order on the placement or waiting list.

How often do you meet with the assigned teacher?

The parent and student attend one group and/or one individual meeting a month with their assigned IS teacher. Parents and students may also call or email their IS teacher whenever needed, as well as schedule additional time to meet.

Independent Study FAQ’s

For the following year, will my student be automatically given a position in a regular classroom?

If there is an available position in your child’s grade level, the IS student will have the opportunity to make a program change.

Do I have to purchase a uniform for my child?

Yes. If your child attends any function on OPA’s campus or represents OPA at an event, then your child will have to follow the school dress code and wear a uniform.

Independent Study FAQ’sWill my child be eligible for a

program change during the school year?

Independent Study students are already enrolled students of Oxford Preparatory Academy. As such, parents can request a program change if an opening is available in either the IS Program or the On-campus Program.

Why is it important for the IS Coordinator to review my application?

The IS Coordinator will recommend the best appropriate placement for your child. It has to be a “fit” for all participants.

What other supplies do I need to support my child?

A supply list will also be given for your child’s grade level at parent orientation.

If the Independent Study Program is a fit for your family, follow the enrollment procedures for OPA.

If your child is currently enrolled in OPA and is on the placement or waiting lists, please complete an

Independent Study Application

for the 2011-2012 school year.

Submit a completed application to the Independent Study Office:

At an Independent Study Informational Meeting

or

By e-mail: independentstudy@oxfordchampions.com

Notification will be given to those accepted into the program.

Together, our Independent Study Students will be…

Champions of Education!