Notice of Recent Changes to Independent Study Conditions of Apportionment

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This is an announcement to inform Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) of recent changes to independent study (IS) policy resulting from the 2024 Budget Act. The passage of the education omnibus budget trailer bill, Senate Bill (SB) 153, made three major changes to IS that commence this school year.

The School Fiscal Services Division (SFSD) has recently updated information on its Instructional Time and Attendance Accounting web page, and posted a new Letter to the Field. This “Notice of Recent Statutory Changes to Independent Study Conditions of Apportionment” outlines how SB153 has affected this program. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year:

  • ADA may now be claimed for IS of any duration.
  • Definitions of short-term and long-term IS have been adjusted.
  • Eligible evidence for documenting student engagement in remote instruction has been revised.

LEAs should ensure their board policies and written agreements for fiscal year 2024-25 are compliant with the new Education Code requirements so that all conditions of apportionment are met.

In addition to independent study, SB 153 included other changes to attendance accounting and instructional time that will impact LEAs. Most of these amendments will not become effective in the 2025-26 school year.

To assist LEAs in understanding current IS statute and enable them to plan ahead for upcoming changes, the CDE will host a webinar on August 14, 2024 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Click here to register for the Instructional Time and Attendance Accounting Webinar. 

If you have any questions, please contact the staff of the Attendance Accounting Office at attendanceaccounting@cde.ca.gov or by phone at 916-324-4541.

 

Sincerely, 

Principal Apportionment Section
School Fiscal Services Division
California Department of Education 

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