HEATH LANE
Instructor
RM 32 | All campus visitors must check in at the school office.
hlane@bhuhsd.k12.ca.us
209 736-8322

In recognition that some students can learn best in settings other than conventional classrooms, this program offers an independent and flexible study arrangement. All courses are taught via the Edgenuity® online program. Students do not attend daily classes. Instead, each student meets with an instructor one-to-one, or in a small group, at a pre-arranged time and place each week. The instructor assigns course work, which is to be completed by the student on his/her own time. The completed work is evaluated by the instructor at the next meeting. It is the responsibility of the student and parent to ensure the student attends this appointment and has all of their work completed every week.     

1. To offer students who cannot attend the comprehensive high school the opportunity to complete their high school education.

2. To offer students a program of personalized instruction to meet their varying needs and ability levels.

3. To offer students classes and activities which will enable them to increase their general knowledge and assist them in the development of self-discipline and self-confidence.

4. To help students set and attain personal, academic, and career goals.

5. To enrich the lives of the individual students served, and thereby enrich the community life as well.

6. Students may enroll concurrently at Columbia College and earn high school and college credits at same time

ELIGIBILITY: An administrator may approve the participation of a student that has entered at least their second semester of high school. The student must have previously demonstrated the motivation, commitment, organizational skills, and academic skills necessary to work independently. The administrator may then approve independent study for an individual student upon determining that the student is prepared to meet the district's requirements for independent study and is likely to succeed in independent study as well as or better than he/she would in the regular classroom. Lastly, a student must possess a history of positive attendance and meet the minimum cumulative grade point average 2.0. ENROLLMENT: Students and parents that feel they meet these requirements should contact an administrator. The administrator will advise the student of the appropriate steps to apply for admission. The assigned teacher will then contact students accepted for enrollment. Students who do not complete their assignments or who miss appointments will be dropped from the program in order to make room for students waiting for an opportunity to enroll.

California Education Code 48200 states: “Each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years is subject to compulsory full-time education.  Each person subject to compulsory full-time education and each person subject to compulsory continuation education…shall attend the public full-time day school or continuation school or classes for the full-time designated as the length of the school day by the governing board of the school district in which the residency of either the parent or legal guardian (resides).”  

For positive independent study attendance, a student must spend a minimum of 30 minutes of academic time per course they are enrolled each day school is in session. In addition, students will meet once each week with their teacher. However, the teacher may require the student to meet more often than once each week, depending upon the student’s needs. If a student is unable to make an appointment, it is his/her responsibility to contact the teacher so that an alternate time can be arranged.   

The decision to drop a student is made by the principal after considering the teacher’s recommendation. Students under the age of 18 who are dropped will be transferred to another district school or program.

To earn a diploma of graduation, a student must do the following and complete two hundred sixty (260) credits, divided as follows:

GRADES: Most grading is on an academic scale.  (See below.)  The student should talk with the instructor to understand exactly how he/she will be graded. Usually, the grade is determined by the quality of the completed schoolwork, the percentage completed of the semester’s required schoolwork, and scores on tests or quizzes. 90%-100% = A; 80%-89% = B; 70%-79% = C; 60%-69% = D; 0%-59% = F; and Pass (60%+) or Fail. CREDIT: Credits are granted upon the successful completion of all contracted course work for a class at the end of the semester. 

Students under 18 must have a Work Permit to hold a job during the school year. Work Permits may be obtained from Bret Harte Office.

Students are responsible for their behavior, and they will be held accountable for their actions. School rules and regulations encourage students to be active learners; provide an atmosphere whereby teaching and learning can flourish; and maintain order, health, and safety. The students can expect to be treated in a fair and consistent manner by all staff members who will also explain the consequences of persistent refusal to comply with school rules.  

HARASSMENT: Harassment of students or staff in any form, including bullying, cyber-bullying, intimidation, hazing or initiation activity, ridicule, extortion, or any other verbal, written, or physical conduct that causes or threatens to cause bodily harm or emotional suffering will result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension and/or expulsion. CYBER-BULLYING: Cyber-bullying includes the transmission of communications, posting of harassing messages, direct threats, social cruelty, or other harmful texts, sounds, or images on the Internet, social networking sites, or other digital technologies using a telephone, computer, or any wireless communication device. Cyber-bullying also includes breaking into another student’s electronic account and assuming that person’s identity in order to damage that person’s reputation or friendships. Any student who engages in cyber-bullying using district-owned equipment, on school premises, or off-campus in a manner that impacts school activity or school attendance shall be subject to discipline in accordance with district policies and regulations. Students are encouraged to save and print any messages sent to them that they feel constitute cyber-bullying and to notify a teacher, the counselor, the principal, or any other employees so that the matter may be investigated.  

The Bret Harte Union High School District has adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy, which makes it mandatory that in certain situations disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, be considered. These behaviors include fighting; threatening others; possession of, or the use of, drugs or alcohol during the school day; being intoxicated while at school; any form of bullying or sexual harassment, including by use of an electronic device; and possession of, or use of, anything that can be used as a weapon.

Independent Study students may enroll concurrently at Columbia College and earn high school and college credits at the same time. To participate in this program, students must: 

1. Apply to and be accepted by Columbia College.

2. Be registered in one or more college classes while being enrolled in Bret Harte Independent Study.

3. Complete a concurrent release form each semester.

Students in this program will have their Columbia College registration fees waived!