How California Assembly Bill 130 Affects Independent Study (NCB) Charter Schools

California Assembly Bill 130 (AB130) provides extensive revisions to current Independent Study law, which affect non-classroom-based charters and their day-to-day operations. The key elements of the bill affect how Master Agreements are written, the availability of live instructional sessions, and process for re-engaging students.

AB130 Changes Independent Study Master Agreements

Changes surrounding Master Agreements require a clear explanation of how student’s educational progress will be measured. This includes mentions of the student’s progress toward LCAP goals, completion of courses, mastery or required concepts, and completion of assignments. Additionally, the period for completion of assigned work must be specified and include a measure of the completion of work to ensure satisfactory progress.

The Master Agreement must also include a provision for tiered reengagement strategies that are to be triggered if a student is not present for three days in an instructional week or has missed 60% of possible attendance dates. The tiered reengagement strategy must also be triggered if the student does not meet the satisfactory educational progress provisions as specified in the Master Agreement.

To see the changes to our Independent Study Master Agreement, please click below!

AB130 Implements a Tiered Reengagement protocol

The CDE has provided a four-stage tiered reengagement protocol for students who do not meet provisions of the master agreement ranging from verifying student contact information to providing students with options for returning to classroom-based instruction. Schools must also provide students mental health and health resources as part of tiered reengagement, and, at Stage Three, provide students with clear parameters for maintaining positive standing in the independent study program.

AB130 Requires Live Daily Interaction For Some Students

AB 130 requires independent study to provide synchronous instruction opportunities to all students. Students in K-3 are required to have these opportunities on a daily basis, while students in 4-8 are required weekly opportunities. The synchronous instruction opportunities must be provided by the supervising teacher and student participation in the sessions must be recorded.

Additionally, schools are required to provide opportunities for live interaction between students and school staff members. Live interaction can take place in the form of phone or video chat. It must occur on a daily basis for grades 4-8.

Method Schools' Program Validated by AB130

In the past few weeks, our leadership team, in conjunction with our advisors, have met to brainstorm how we can successfully meet the requirements of this bill while still providing students and families with the education and experience they are accustomed to at Method Schools. We are happy to say that much of our program and the supports we provide to our students have been strongly validated by AB130. We look forward to increasing our offerings to Method families – to build both a stronger academic experience for your child and enhanced opportunities to engage in the Method community.