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NEW DIRECTIONS
INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM
ORIENTATION.
Please note that before enrolling at New Directions,
you are required to meet with your high school
counselor to discuss your transfer request
and, if approved,
receive a referral which will be sent
to New Directions.
Brenda Connors, New Directions Counselor
SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
 IF YOU HAVE AN IEP (Individualized Education
Program):
A “Change of Placement” IEP meeting is required.
Please contact your IEP case manager for details.
 IF YOU ARE NEW TO PUSD (Poway Unified
School District):
A review of your transcript is required.
Please contact the New Directions counseling
assistant at 858-748-0010, ext. 2420 for details.
PURPOSE OF ORIENTATION
 Understanding how the independent study program works.
 Deciding if the independent study program is the
appropriate educational setting for the student.
YOU WILL LEARN
•How independent study works.
• What type of student
participates in independent
study.
• Attendance requirements.
• Grading periods.
• PUSD graduation requirements
and transcript information.
•How credits are earned.
• The number of classes taken
each semester.
• Course Offerings at ND
 Descriptions
 Math & Science
 College Preparatory
• Profile of a successful
independent study student.
• Frequently asked questions.
WHAT IS INDEPENDENT
STUDY?
Independent study is an
alternative learning experience.
Equivalent to a regular classroom program of
instruction.
Curriculum meets the PUSD standards as well
as the California state standards.
Students become active participants in the
learning process.
Most significant feature is the flexibility it
offers.
CLOSE PARTNERS
In independent study:
Students INVITE parents/guardians to be close
partners with them in their daily school work.

No daily
= students willingly asking
parents/guardians for help.

On a daily basis, parents/guardians checking to
ensure students are
completing their
assignments.

Students and parents/guardians enjoying the
flexibility that independent study offers.
NEW DIRECTIONS PROGRAM
New Directions is not a school.
New Directions is the independent study program
for the middle and high schools in the Poway
District.
 Del Norte High School
 Mt. Carmel High School
 Poway High School
 Rancho Bernardo High School
 Westview High School
A maximum of 140 independent
study credits may be applied
toward a comprehensive high
school diploma (230 credits are
required to graduate).
TYPICAL NEW DIRECTIONS
STUDENT
There are many reasons why students
decide to enroll in independent study,
a few of which include:
 Students who wish to
pursue special or unique
educational interests that
are not compatible with
attendance in the regular
education programs.
 Students transferring
into the District midsemester without credit
hours.
 Students whose families
request home schooling.
 Students participating in a
treatment program.
 Students who are
employed to help out
financially at home.
 Non-graduated seniors.
Independent study is simply an alternative choice
for your education.
PARTICIPATION IN YOUR
HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
New Directions students remain attached to their
school of residence (DNHS, MCHS, PHS, RBHS, or WHS).
Students are not allowed to be on the high school
campus during school hours.
Students are allowed to:
Join clubs that meet after school hours.
Participate in sports.
Attend after school activities such as
athletic events, dances, tutorials, etc.
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
 Students receive the PUSD high school diploma from
their school site (DNHS, MCHS, PHS, RBHS, or WHS).
 Because New Directions is a “program” not a school,
students must earn credits from their school site.*
90 credits* (credits you MUST earn at your school site)
+140 credits
(credits you are ALLOWED to earn at ND)
230 credits (credits required for the PUSD diploma)
* Credits from community college, ROP (Regional Occupation Program),
and other approved educational institutions count toward the 90 “site”
credit requirement.
Students who do not have 90 credits when
transferring to New Directions are required
to eventually transfer back to their school
site as a full-time student (to earn the
missing credits).
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Students are assigned and must attend a weekly
45-minute appointment with an instructor who
monitors and assesses their work.

Students work on one to three classes at a time
(depending on whether or not math and/or biology
classes are taken).
 Five days of work (20-30 hours)
must be completed each week.
Students should spend 4-6 hours a
day, 5 days a week, working on their
assignments.
ARE ALLOWED IN INDEPENDENT STUDY.
Students must attend their weekly
appointment on time with 100% of their
assignments completed.
If a student misses his/her weekly appointment and or attends the
appointment with incomplete work (not 100% completed), an
absence will be given (equivalent to five school days).
1st Absence = “Attendance Letter 1” = Call & letter to
parent/guardian.
2nd Absence = “Attendance Letter 2” = Call & letter to
parent/guardian PLUS mandatory conference with the
counselor.
3rd Absence = “Attendance Letter 3” = Transfer to an
alternate educational setting.
MANDATORY
WEEKLY MEETINGS
Students attend a
weekly meeting with an instructor.
 Arrive 30 minutes early to check work
Same day/same time
 45 minute one-on-one meeting
 2 – 3 hours if testing
 No rescheduling
ADDITIONAL MEETINGS
MATH LAB:
Mandatory attendance to weekly math lab
 Weekly for 45 – 90 minutes
BIOLOGY LAB:
Mandatory attendance to
weekly biology lab
 Weekly for 2 – 3 hours
Please note that the labs are MANDATORY.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
Students are required to
participate in all
standardized testing.
 STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting)
 CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam)
 Tests are given at New Directions.
 Absences are given to students
who do not participate.
REPORTING GRADES
New Directions operates on a semester system.
Fall Semester: 18 weeks
Spring Semester: 19 weeks
 Progress reports are hand-carried
home by students at the 6 and 12
week marks.
 Semester grades are mailed home
at the end of each semester.
EARNING CREDIT AT NEW DIRECTIONS
a credit recovery or a
credit acceleration program.
 Most courses take FIVE
weeks to complete.
 Biology takes NINE
weeks to complete.
 Math takes the WHOLE
SEMESTER to complete.
Students
at
New Directions
have the
opportunity
to earn
30-35 credits
each semester.
CREDITS ON YOUR TRANSCRIPT
At the end of each semester, student grades
and credits are applied to student transcripts.
Credit Summary – High School
Subject Areas
None Specified
Career English
Civics
Economics
Elective
English
Fine Art or Foreign Lan
Fine Art
Fine Arts Waiver
Foreign Language
Health
Life Science
Mathematics
Practical Arts
Practical Arts Waiver
Physical Education
Physical Education
Physical Science
Social Science
United States History
World History
------Total Credits------
Req
Cmp
Def
5.00
5.00
85.00
35.00
5.00
5.00
25.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
10.00
20.00
5.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
2.50
5.00
2.50
20.00
10.00
15.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
10.00
10.00
230.00
5.00
5.00
60.00
30.00
0.00
10.00
5.00
5.00
97.50 132.50
19-WEEK SEMESTER
WEEK
ENGLISH
1
WEEK 1
1
2
WEEK 2
2
3
WEEK 3
3
4
WEEK 4
4
5
TEST
HISTORY
ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE
MATH
WEEK 1
5
6
WEEK 2
6
7
WEEK 3
7
8
WEEK 4
8
9
TEST
WEEK 1
9
10
WEEK 2
10
11
WEEK 3
WEEK 1
11
12
WEEK 4
WEEK 2
12
13
TEST
WEEK 3
13
14
WEEK 4
14
15
TEST
WEEK 1
15
16
WEEK 2
16
17
WEEK 3
17
18
WEEK 4
18
19
TEST
19
5 cr
5 cr
5 cr
5 cr
5 cr
5 cr
30 CR
LATE ENROLLMENT
WEEK
ENGLISH
HISTORY
ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE
MATH
1
2
3
4
5
WEEK 1
5
6
WEEK 2
6
7
WEEK 3
7
8
WEEK 4
8
9
TEST
WEEK 1
9
10
WEEK 2
10
11
WEEK 3
11
12
WEEK 4
12
13
TEST
WEEK 1
13
14
WEEK 2
14
15
WEEK 3
WEEK 1
15
16
WEEK 4
WEEK 2
16
17
TEST
WEEK 3
17
18
WEEK 4
18
19
TEST
19
5 cr
5 cr
5 cr
5 cr
-
5 cr
25 CR
PARTIAL CREDIT
WEEK
ENGLISH
HISTORY
ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE
MATH
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10
11
WEEK 3
11
12
WEEK 4
12
13
TEST
WEEK 3
13
14
WEEK 4
14
15
TEST
WEEK 3
WEEK 1
15
16
WEEK 4
WEEK 2
16
17
TEST
WEEK 3
17
18
WEEK 4
18
19
TEST
19
5 cr
5 cr
5 cr
5 cr
-
5 cr
25 CR
CLASSES ON CAMPUS
OTHER WAYS TO EARN CREDIT

ON CAMPUS – Seniors only are allowed to take 1-2 classes (5-10 credits)
on campus under the following conditions:
1. If they need the class to graduate;
2. New Directions does not offer it.
(Example: Physical Education & Physical Science classes.)

ROP CLASSES – 16 years & older may take ROP classes that are offered
at the various high school campuses. Students register at the PUSD Adult
Ed. Department located at the Twin Peaks Center.

ADULT ED CLASSES – Seniors (& when offered, Juniors) only are
offered evening classes during Fall and Spring sessions. Students register
at the Adult Ed. Dept. in the Twin Peaks Center. They will need to get their
counselor’s signature before registering.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE – Seniors & Juniors may take classes at
community college for high school credit. They must see their counselor
prior to registering for the class (for the permission form to take to the
college and to have the class approved for the high school credit).
CSU & UC “a – g” REQUIREMENTS
COURSE
CSU
UC
a. History
Two years of history/social science, including 1 year of U.S.
History or 1 sem. of U.S. History & 1 sem. of American
government, and . . .for CSU, 2 sem. of history/social studies
from either “a” or “g” subject areas and . . .for UC, 2 sem. of
world history, cultures and geography from the “a” subject area.
Same
b. English
Four years of English, which can include not more than one year
of ESL/ELD courses.
Same
c. Math
(highest level math at
ND is Alg 3-4)
Three years math (algebra I and II, geometry)
(4 years recommended)
Same –
4 years
recommended
d. Laboratory Science
(no physical science
classes at ND)
Two years laboratory science including . . .for CSU, 1 year of
physical and 1 year of biological science (one of which must be
from the “d” subject area with the other from either “d” or “g”) and
. . .for UC, at least 2 of the 3 core disciplines of biology,
chemistry and physics (both from the “d’ subject area and 3
years recommended.)
Same –
3-4 years
recommended
e. Foreign Language
(no foreign language
classes at ND)
Two years of language other than English. Must be the same
language.
Same –
3-4 years
recommended
f. Visual and
Performing Arts
(Design Mxd/Media 1-2
at ND)
One year visual and performing arts. Students must complete a
single year-long course selected from the disciplines of dance,
drama/theater, music or visual arts.
Same
g. College Preparatory
Elective
(four classes at ND –
site specific)
One year elective chosen from any of the areas on the approved
“a-g” course list.
Same
PROFILE of a SUCCESSFUL
INDEPENDENT STUDY
STUDENT
A Student That. . .






Lives with a parent or guardian.
Schedules daily study hours.
Has a quiet, free from distraction, study
space.
Is on time for his/her appointments.
Works at a job no more than 20-25 hours
per week.
Is self-disciplined and motivated.
SUCCESSFUL STUDENT (cont.)






Has realistic goals.
Receives encouragement
and help at home.
Keeps school as a priority regardless of
personal problems.
Chooses to “problem solve” rather than
blame others or past events.
Has healthy habits
regarding sleeping, eating,
and exercising.
Relates to self and others
in a positive manner.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTION
1. What happens if I get sick and cannot attend
my weekly meeting?
If a student is ill and cannot attend his/her
weekly meeting, the parent must call the
instructor BEFORE the meeting time to make
arrangements to drop off the completed
assignment and pick up the new assignment.
This is allowed occasionally & will NOT result
in an absence.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (cont.)
2. How does a student meet the PUSD PE
and/or physical science requirements?
New Directions does NOT offer any PE and/or
physical education classes. Students usually
meet these requirements before enrolling at ND.

Students who have not met either requirement should plan to
return to who have not met either requirement will be allowed to
take the class or classes on campus while attending at ND. their
school site in the future as a full-time student.

Seniors who have not met either requirement will be
allowed to take the class or classes on campus
while attending New Directions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (cont.)
3. What happens if I miss my weekly
appointment?
Students who miss their weekly
appointment will receive a 5-day absence,
resulting in an Attendance Letter.
4. What happens if my assignment is not
complete at my weekly appointment?
If the assignment is not 100% completed,
the student will receive a 5-day absence,
resulting in an Attendance Letter.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (cont.)
5. Does New Directions follow the District
calendar?
Yes, New Directions DOES
follow the District calendar.
6. Can I reschedule my weekly appointment for
vacation?
Weekly appointments CANNOT be rescheduled.
Please plan vacations around the District
calendar
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (cont.)
7. What do I do if I need help?
New Directions’ students are independent
workers. If help is needed, students must ask
their parents/guardians for assistance.
Students may e-mail or call the New
Directions’ instructor for clarification
if necessary.
WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
If you have decided to pursue transferring to New
Directions, please continue to the next slide.

For those student who have specific questions
before deciding on transferring to New Directions, a
group meeting is held on most Thursday afternoons
from 3:00 – 4:00.

Please contact Maritza at
858-748-0010, ext. 2420
to sign up to attend a meeting.
HOW DO I ENROLL AT
NEW DIRECTIONS?
As stated at the beginning of the orientation,
students must meet with their high school
counselor before transferring to New Directions.

Once we receive a referral, you will be contacted
by New Directions’ personnel to schedule an
enrollment appointment.

Please note that students must CONTINUE
ATTENDING their school site throughout the FULL
day before enrolling at New Directions.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU.