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VOAEC's Independent Study program is intended for students who are nearing graduation and desire an independent option, or who are facing significant life barriers to either graduating or remaining in school. Our goal with the program is to increase our students' capacity for self-directed learning, an important indicator of their readiness to graduate with the skills they will need to contribute positively to society, and to increase our capacity to serve students whose lives have become too complex for traditional school schedules.
Applicants for Independent Study must meet the following criteria:a) Seniors with over 55 credits, and have passed at least 2 MBST tests and who wish to take the option.
b) Junior and/or Seniors with over 30 credits AND who meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Engaged full-time in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options and need additional credits.
- Seniors making up final credits.
- Pregnancy/Childbirth.
- Extended illness and/or specific family issues [sibling, child or elder care].
- Other specific hardships, as presented to the Academic Dean and Independent Study Coordinator.
Our program will offer credits in English, Social Studies, Math, Health, Physical Education, and Science and variations therein. A plan is currently being developed to offer Science and Math in collaboration with Minneapolis Public Schools' Department of Online Learning.
All accepted students must also meet the following program requirements, per state law and school policy:
- For each credit attempted, the student must spend 1 hour a week in a general content class (seat time work with others, offered Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons).
- In addition, each student is required to attend a ½ hour scheduled consultation/tutoring session with the coordinator.
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