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Willits Unified School District

Gateway to the Redwoods

Short-Term Independent Study

Willits Unified School District (WUSD) is committed to supporting your child’s academic, social-emotional, and behavioral success through consistent school attendance. We strongly encourage families to schedule vacations, travel, or other non-school activities during weekends, pupil-free days, or district vacation periods to minimize disruptions to instructional time. Regular attendance fosters active participation in our school community and supports your child’s educational progress.


However, WUSD recognizes that certain events, such as non-school athletic competitions, work opportunities, or unavoidable travel, may occur during the school year. While absences for these reasons are considered unexcused under California Education Code (EC) Section 48205, WUSD offers Short-Term Independent Study (ST-IS) as a voluntary option to help students maintain academic progress during such absences, as authorized by EC Sections 51745–51749.6.

  • ST-IS is a voluntary program that allows students to complete assigned academic work independently during temporary absences from school. It provides an opportunity to practice and reinforce skills in core academic areas, as outlined in EC Section 51745(a). Key details include:

    • Duration: ST-IS is available for absences of 1 to 15 cumulative school days per school year (EC Section 51747). Absences exceeding 15 days require enrollment in Long-Term Independent Study (LT-IS).
    • Eligibility: All students, including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), may participate, subject to specific requirements (see below).

  • Yes, students with IEPs may participate in ST-IS, provided their IEP team determines that a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) can be provided during the independent study period, as required by EC Section 51745(c). An IEP meeting must be held, and the IEP must explicitly include provisions for ST-IS before participation.

  • To request ST-IS, parents/guardians must follow these steps:

    • Request Process: Contact your child’s school office at least three (3) school days prior to the absence to initiate the ST-IS process.
    • Written Agreement: A Master Agreement for ST-IS, as mandated by EC Section 51747(c), must be signed by the parent/guardian, student, teacher, and a district administrator before the absence begins. For students with IEPs, the IEP team must also approve participation. • Accessing Work: Schools will provide assignments through platforms such as Google Classroom, email, or other methods. All WUSD students have access to a Chromebook to complete work virtually.
    • Submission Deadline: Completed assignments must be submitted within three (3) school days of the student’s return to school, per district policy.

    Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring students have access to assignments and complete them on time. Failure to submit completed work by the deadline may result in unexcused absences for the days not covered by completed assignments.

  • Parents/guardians may request ST-IS at any time during the school year by contacting their child’s school office. Early notification (at least three school days in advance) ensures sufficient time to prepare assignments and complete the required Master Agreement.

  • ST-IS is a voluntary program and not required. However, absences for reasons such as family travel, competitions, or work are considered unexcused under EC Section 48205. Students with three or more unexcused absences in a school year are classified as truant under EC Section 48260(a). Parents/guardians of truant students may face enforcement actions under California’s compulsory education laws (EC Section 48200).

  • If assigned work is not completed or submitted within three school days of returning to school, the corresponding days will be marked as unexcused absences. For example, if a student is absent for eight days but submits work equivalent to only five days (as determined by the teacher), the remaining three days will be recorded as unexcused, potentially contributing to truancy status (EC Section 48260).

  • No, ST-IS is a voluntary option provided as a courtesy by WUSD to accommodate unexcused absences. Parents/guardians may choose not to participate but should be aware of the potential truancy consequences of unexcused absences.

    • Legal Framework: ST-IS is governed by EC Sections 51745–51749.6, which outline eligibility, agreements, and district responsibilities. WUSD adheres to these regulations to ensure compliance and support student learning.
    • Support: For questions or assistance, contact your child’s school office. Staff can guide you through the ST-IS process and provide necessary resources.

    WUSD values your partnership in prioritizing your child’s education. By planning activities during non-school days and utilizing ST-IS when necessary, we can work together to ensure your child’s success.