DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Alternative Education Department at FUSD oversees Short-term Independent Study, Home and Hospital Instruction, and the Virtual Learning Program (long-term independent study.) The Alternative Education Administrator is also the Section 504 Administrative Designee for the Fontana Unified School District.  

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 student/family may request a one-time situation that would allow a student to be away from school for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 14 days 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 on 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 student and/or guardian. Understand that you may be subpoenaed to 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 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 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.

Notice of Parent and Student Rights: Under Section 504, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (English)

Aviso de Derechos de Padres y Estudiantes: Bajo la Sección 504, Ley de Reahabilitación de 1973 (español)

Virtual Learning Program (VLP)

The Virtual Learning Program has two strands or educational options for students to participate in online learning instruction. Students must be enrolled and attend for a minimum of 15 days and it is considered long-term independent study.

Our Virtual Learning option (VL) allows students to participate in most of their instructional time asynchronously (independently.) Virtual Learning students must participate in the schedule or designated synchronous sessions by law. 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. A student does not have the option to only participate asynchronously in this option.

The second option in VLP, is the ACCESS option (ACS), where students are synchronous with their teachers for a majority (80-90%) of the instructional day. This means that a student must be 'live' with their teachers for the entire instructional day. This strand mimics the traditional school setting. Students must be active and engaged during all instructional times.

At the Secondary level, grades 6-12 it is possible for a student to be enrolled in both options. In order for a student to qualify for this, an enrollment conference with the VLP staff must take place. In addition, it is possible for a student to 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:

SY 2023-24 ONLINE LEARNING INTEREST FORM

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 on the basis of 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