BILL NUMBER: AB 1987INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Davis FEBRUARY 23, 2012 An act to amend Section 51745 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1987, as introduced, Davis. Pupil instruction: independent study: leadership course. Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district or a county office of education to offer independent study to meet the educational needs of pupils. Existing law specifies certain educational opportunities that may be offered through independent study. This bill would include a leadership course, as specified, within the educational opportunities that may be offered through independent study and would make several technical, nonsubstantive changes. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 51745 of the Education Code is amended to read: 51745. (a) Commencing with the 1990-91 school year, the governing board of a school district or a county office of education may offer independent study to meet the educational needs of pupils in accordance with the requirements of this article. Educational opportunities offered through independent study may include, but shall not be limited to, the following: (1) Special assignments extending the content of regular courses of instruction. (2) Individualized study in a particular area of interest or in a subject not currently available in the regular school curriculum. (3) Individualized alternative education designed to teach the knowledge and skills of the core curriculum. Independent study shall not be provided as an alternative curriculum. (4) Continuing and special study during travel. (5) Volunteer community service activities that support and strengthen pupil achievement. (6) A leadership course approved by a statewide or national community service agency that is designed to improve the character and leadership traits of a pupil. (b) Not more than 10 percent of the pupils participating in an opportunity school or program, or a continuation high school, calculated as specified by theState Department of Educationdepartment , shall be eligible for apportionment credit for independent study pursuant to this article. A pupil who is pregnant or is a parent who is the primary caregiver for one or more of his or her children shall not be counted within the 10 percent cap. (c)NoAn individual with exceptional needs, as defined in Section 56026,mayshall not participate in independent study, unless his or her individualized education program developed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 56340) of Chapter 4 of Part 30 specifically provides for that participation. (d)NoA temporarily disabled pupilmayshall not receive individual instruction pursuant to Section 48206.3 through independent study. (e) No course included among the courses required for high school graduation under Section 51225.3 shall be offered exclusively through independent study.