Presentation to TR31 conference on gifted education and increased personalization.

1. Independent Study and
Online Instruction
Pathways to increased individuality, achievement
and personalization.

2. Dr Vince Carbino
Principal City of Angels
Largest independent study program and online instructional program in the United States.
24 school sites throughout LAUSD. Online education program that has students around
the world.
Serve up to 2300 students at a time.
5,000 enrollments a year.
Serve grades K-12.
Continuous enrollment.
Currently 60% of our students come from charter and private schools.
Some students come for a few months, a few years or never leave us.

3. City of Angels Performance
Graduate 600 to 800 students a year
Provide three pathways to diploma
Have a English Learner re designation rate of 36%
30% of our students are concurrently enrolled in college
SBAC Results were 38% of students at proficiency in Language
Arts
96% of students complete online classes with a C or better (
National average 30%)

4. What is independent
study?
It is a alternative method of instruction.
Students compete their classes through completion of
homework (20-30 hours)
Secondary students complete 6 to 8 classes a semester.
It is an A through G, comprehensive program. IT is not credit
recovery or remediation.
Students can complete instruction through pen and paper,
online or both.

5. Student profile
Students that can not attend 5 days a week, 6 hours a day at
their regular school program due to “outside obligations.”
Students that can do classroom work, but need highly
individualized support.
Students that have been victimized and need time to heal.
Students who have agoraphobic behaviors.
Students that are highly gifted and need individualized
instruction.

6. Independent Study
vs
Home Instruction
Independent Study
Credentialed teacher instructs student.
Program is WASC accredited
Instruction and content meet state education standards and is reviewed and audited.
Student issued diploma that is accepted with public and private universities
Home Instruction
Parent or tutor teaches student
Home instruction is approved by state.
Instruction and content determined by parent.
Graduated by parents and often only private universities recognize “diploma.”

7. Online Programs
District
District reviews and approves online content and providers
The content providers must have content that is approved by UCOP.
Students receive credit and diploma as any other student.
Charter
School or organization contracts with online content and providers.
No guarantees that the content is approved by UCOP
Student may not be able to transfer credit beyond Charter School if school is not accredited.
Diploma can e issued by Charter organization.
Private
Often use Khan Academy and or their own curriculum that are not approved by UCOP.
Student is not able to transfer credit beyond private school.
Diploma can be issued by private school.

8. Current online providers approved
by UCOP
APEX
E2020 ( Edgenuity)
Scout

9. Individualization
Depth and spread of content
Pacing ( acceleration)
Embedded remediation
Concurrent Instruction ( College)

10. Drop Out Profile
The majority of urban dropouts are not “push-outs.”
They no longer can attend in seat programs due to:
Taking care of sick parent or family member.
Taking care of school age siblings so parents
can work
Working shadow economy job to bring
additional income into family.

11. Drop Out Recovery Model
Independent study allows child to fulfill family
responsibilities and continue their education.
Online programs can assist students working
during school hours as they can access
classes 24/7.
Teachers can meet child at workplace or
home

12. Independent Study Best Practices
From Association for Distance Education and Independent
Learning:
Students meet face to face for supportive instruction daily to
weekly based upon student need.
Instructional guides or course syllabi are required with grading
rubrics and textbooks or instructional materials.
Testing is done to ensure measurement of learning outcomes
and mastery of course content.
Feedback is provided continuously to student

13. Online Instruction Best Practices
Botcher 2013, Designing for Learning:
Be present with each course through communication tools
Create dialogue that is balanced through communication tools.
Set clear expectations, and more than finishing class
Get feedback from students early in course.
Focus on content resources, applications and link to support.
Never issue partial credit.

14. Independent Study and Online
Intensive Case Management
Australian Outback Education Program:
Constant monitoring of produced student work
Discussing with student how it is going.
Making adjustments in assignment load to
prevent fatigue and burn out.
Talk, email and text, and when to do each.

15. Closing thoughts
Independent study and online content can increase
access and increase increase personalization.
There are downsides to this form of instruction.
These must be considered.
While not for every student, it is a viable
instructional program for many students, when
using best practices.

16. Contact information
Dr Vince Carbino, Principal
24 hr: 323-321-2439
vince.carbino@lausd.net