Here are some of the updates to this year's Long-term Independent Study (LTIS) program:
Acceptance into the Long-term Independent Study program is not guaranteed this year. The state has changed the requirements of the program. There is no longer a required placement into LTIS within five days of the request. Because of this change, this is the procedure WUSD will follow for the 2022-2023 school year:
- Talk with your school counselor and request Long-term Independent Study at least 48 hours in advance of when you would like to begin Long-term Independent Study
- Complete the Long-term Independent Study application form which will be reviewed by the WUSD Director of Instructional Support Services
- The Director of Instructional Support Services make contact with you and schedule an appointment to meet
- Meet with the Independent Study teacher, counselor and the Director of Instructional Support Services
In addition to changes in the WUSD process, the state has made some changes in its requirements:
- Students with an IEP must have Long-term Independent Study written into their IEP for them to participate. Additionally, their case manager must sign the LTIS contract.
- Missing too many assignments or weekly meetings will trigger an evaluation meeting and the implementation of tiered reengagement strategies to address the chronic absenteeism. Completion of assignments and synchronous/face-to-face meetings are how attendance is generated in LTIS, so if your student is not completing the assignments or meeting via Zoom, they are considered absent.
- Participation in LTIS does not begin until a contract is signed by the parent, student, teacher, and principal.