In accordance with Idaho law, full-time students in this district are eligible to be designated as a self-directed learner for the purpose of being granted greater flexibility in meeting the district’s graduation requirements. A self-directed learner designation allows a student to tailor their education based on individual learning goals and learning styles through a plan developed in consultation with the student’s teacher(s), building administration and their parent/guardian.
For purposes of this policy, a self-directed learner means a full-time student:
1. Who demonstrates mastery of content knowledge through grades, assessments, or mastery-based learning rubrics;
2. Whose teacher or teachers designate the student as such, considering the student’s mastery of content, academic growth, timeliness for completing assignments, self-motivation, ability to establish goals, and reaching age-appropriate learning outcomes;
3. Who, starting in grade 5, demonstrates mastery of addition and multiplication for numbers 0-10, as well as related subtraction and division problems, known collectively as “math facts;”
4. Who, starting in grade 8, demonstrates an informed choice of postsecondary career and education goals by: (i) completing and updating his/her student learning plan; (ii) supplementing his/her student learning plan, as applicable, with extended learning opportunities as set forth in district policy 623, courses and examinations funded through the Advanced Opportunities program (district policy 633), or any other credits or programs permitted by Idaho law or district policy, including credit by examination as set forth in district policy 622; and (iii) identifying and writing down self-determined personal life goals, including an explanation of how attending specific classes will lead to the fulfillment of personal life goals.
Once a student is designated as a self-directed learner, the student has the right to flexible learning to support their postsecondary career and education goals. The student’s flexible learning plan may include any of the following, as agreed upon by the student, their teacher(s) and their parents/guardians:
1. Flexible attendance;
2. Attending school virtually;
3. Extended learning opportunities; and
4. Any other agreed-upon learning inside or outside the classroom.
The educational activities incorporated into a student’s program of self-directed learning may not include activities for religious purposes or for which a fee is charged.
The procedure for applying for and maintaining a self-directed learner status is set forth in policy 668P.
A student’s self-directed learner status will be terminated by the building principal, upon recommendation of the student’s supervising teacher(s), if the student fails to meet agreed-upon criteria or fails to stay current on classroom assignments and does not cure the failure within an agreed-upon time frame.
The district will report the number of self-directed learners to the state department of education annually.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Idaho Constitutional Provisions
Article IX, Section 1 – Legislature to Establish System of Free Public Schools
Article IX, Section 6 – Religious Test and Teaching in School Prohibited
Idaho Code Sections
33-512D – Self-Directed Learner Designation
33-1001 – Definitions
CROSS-REFERENCE:
623 – Extended Learning Opportunities
633 – Dual Credit Programs
ADOPTED: July 19, 2023
AMENDED:
(Form)