Virtual Independent Study
Students and families that feel in-person instruction compromises their health may request to participate in a virtual independent study (VIS) learning option through the district.
South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) is partnering with Stride Learning to provide online curriculum and instruction for the 2022-23 school year for VIS students.
Program Details 2022-23
1. SSFUSD is offering VIS to students in grades 1-12 only.
2. Stride teachers will facilitate daily group synchronous sessions (30-60 minutes in length) for students in grades 1-3 and weekly sessions for students in grades 4-12 by appointment.
3. Students/families may schedule individual meetings with the teacher(s) for additional support or interact with online Stride tutors via chat who can assist students with their assignments.
4. Students will be assigned an SSFUSD academic coach who will meet with the student weekly to check in about academic progress.
5. Students must meet SSFUSD requirements for academic progress including work completion and submission, instructional minutes for course activity, and grades. If a student is not meeting these requirements, the student and parent will be required to attend a re-engagement meeting to discuss progress. SSFUSD may require the student to return to in-person instruction, if the student is not meeting the requirements for academic progress in VIS.
2. Stride teachers will facilitate daily group synchronous sessions (30-60 minutes in length) for students in grades 1-3 and weekly sessions for students in grades 4-12 by appointment.
3. Students/families may schedule individual meetings with the teacher(s) for additional support or interact with online Stride tutors via chat who can assist students with their assignments.
4. Students will be assigned an SSFUSD academic coach who will meet with the student weekly to check in about academic progress.
5. Students must meet SSFUSD requirements for academic progress including work completion and submission, instructional minutes for course activity, and grades. If a student is not meeting these requirements, the student and parent will be required to attend a re-engagement meeting to discuss progress. SSFUSD may require the student to return to in-person instruction, if the student is not meeting the requirements for academic progress in VIS.
6. SSFUSD will select the courses offered at all grade levels. Certain programs/courses may not be available online such as AP/honors, career technical education (CTE), or visual performing arts courses at the high school level.
7. Students in grades 6-12 will take up to 6 classes each semester.
8. Students who select VIS will be permitted to return to SSFUSD within five (5) days of requesting a return to in-person instruction. Every effort will be made to return students to the home school pending space availability. If space is not available, the student will be considered for another school selected by the district. Once the student returns to in-person learning, they may not re-enroll in VIS.
9. Prior to selection and approval of VIS for students with disabilities under IDEA, an IEP meeting must be held to review and develop an IEP addendum.
10. Enrollment into VIS occurs only during designated SSFUSD windows: July 22 to July 29 for fall semester and November 21 to December 2 for spring semester.
VIS Enrollment Process 2022-23
- Submit "Enrollment Request for Independent Study 2022" form (this online form) by December 2, 2022.
- Attend MANDATORY PARENT INFORMATION WEBINAR on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 6:00 PM. Web link will be sent only to e-mail addresses provided in submitted applications.
- Complete SSFUSD VIS program contract and submit by Sunday, December 11, 2022. The contract will only be sent to those who attend the MANDATORY PARENT INFORMATION WEBINAR.
- If your student has an IEP or 504 plan, attend IEP or 504 meeting to determine placement and services. Your student will not be enrolled in VIS Stride classes until the IEP/504 meeting has taken place.
- SSFUSD will send an enrollment confirmation with class information once all previous steps have been completed.
Please submit forms for each student individually, if you have multiple children that you would like to enroll in VIS for the 2022-23 school year.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California passed assembly bill (AB) 130 in 2021 to offer parents and students more flexibility with regard to traditional, classroom instruction.
AB 130 expired at the end of the 2021-22 school year, but SSFUSD has chosen to continue providing families with an option for virtual learning during the 2022-23 school year independent of the State of California.