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DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Alternative Education Department at FUSD oversees Short-term Independent Study, Home and Hospital Instruction, and Online Learning (long-term independent study.) The Alternative Education Administrator is also the Section 504 Administrative Designee for the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥.  

Short-term Independent Study Program:

Independent Study is a program that allows each student in our district (FUSD Board Policy 6183) to do a 3- to 14-day situation of Independent Study per school year. Each family may request a Short-term Independent Study that would allow a student to be away from school for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 14 days within a school year for any reason except medical. The requirements for this program include acceptable attendance, grades, behavior, and approval from the school administrator. If a student/family is seeking more than 14 days, the student/family may apply for our Online Learning Program.

Home and Hospital Instruction:

This program is allowed by law to provide educational services to homebound or hospitalized students only with the authorization of a licensed physician. Please note that the State of California only allows 5 hours of service each week - thus this program should only be used as a temporary and last resort. This service will be initiated as long as the pupil is under continued medical care and based on a clinical evaluation, diagnostic assessment, and/or other medically accepted practices and not solely based on self-reporting of the student and/or guardian. Understand that you may be subpoenaed for School Attendance Review Board proceedings if indications develop concerning the student's inability to leave home except for medical reasons. Please note that, regardless of the end date, all Home and Hospital Instruction Services conclude on the final day of each school year. For your convenience, we have prepared the form below, which will provide us with the information we need. This form must be resubmitted each school year ONLY if illness requires Home and Hospital Instruction. Please note a minimum of three (3) weeks' absence is required for participation with no contract extending past the last day of the school year. 

Home and Hospital Instruction Application (English-Spanish)

Section 504 - Plans and Coordination:

Each home school is the direct contact for any Section 504 concerns. Initial Meetings and Annual Meetings are conducted at the school site to determine eligibility, review progress, hear parent/site concerns, and update/remove accommodations. Any concerns, complaints, or requests for additional support, beyond the school site, are to be directed to the Alternative Education Administrator for support, discussion, and review.

Online Learning:

Online Learning is our long-term independent study option for the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥. Students must be enrolled and attend for a minimum of 15 days. Online Learning allows students to participate in most of their instructional time synchronously, attending "live" sessions with their teacher(s) and asynchronously (independently.) Students in grades K-5 participate at least two (2) times a day with a teacher synchronously. Students in grades 6-8 participate at least two (2) times per week for each course synchronously. Students in grades 9-12 participate at least once per week for each course synchronously. 

Students must be active and engaged during all instructional times. For a student to qualify for online learning, an enrollment/orientation conference with the online learning staff must take place. In addition, a student can have a part-time enrollment at the in-person school of residence and our online program. This individualized approach requires an enrollment conference with the school site and our program before a student is active in that setting. For more information about this program please click the links below:

Married, Pregnant, Parenting Students:

The Governing Board recognizes that responsibilities related to marriage, pregnancy, or parenting may disrupt a student’s education and increase the chance of a student dropping out of school. The Board therefore desires to support married, pregnant, and parenting students to continue their education, attain strong academic and parenting skills, and promote the healthy development of their children. The district shall not discriminate against any student based on the student’s actual or potential marital status, family status, parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery. (Education Code 230; 34 CFR 106.40)
FUSD will provide educational and related support services, either directly or in collaboration with community agencies and organizations, to meet married, pregnant, or parenting students' needs. For school-related purposes, a student under the age of 18 years who enters into a valid marriage shall have all the rights and privileges of students who are 18 years old, even if the marriage has been dissolved. (Family Code 7002)

Married, Pregnant, Parenting Students: Learn Your Options and Rights! Brochure

Department Contacts

Alternative Education  (909) 357-5000, ext. 29077

Lauri E. Martin, Director, ext. 29086

Laura Parisi, Senior Secretary II, ext. 29086

Veronica Gonzalez, Intermediate Secretary, ext. 29077