TUSD staff believe the best place for all of our students is at school; however, some absences due to illness, emergency, or family commitments are unavoidable. Using Independent Study (IS) contracts for attendance recoupment benefits both the district and our students. Last year, the California Department of Education gave districts new guidance regarding attendance recoupment using IS contracts, which were more encompassing than any previous guidance. Absences of 1 day to 15 days may be recouped retroactively using an IS contract. Contracts are still recommended to be completed in advance, with 7 or more days of prior notice, when a family knows they will be gone and their respective student(s) will be absent.

That being said, an IS contract may also be used retroactively when extended absences occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, student absences can be recouped after an illness is over, at any time during the school year, for up to a total of 15 days. These contracts allow the district to recover the daily attendance, which benefits the district financially...Finally, IS contracts help families avoid the SARB process, because days recouped using an IS contract are no longer considered unexcused absences.

TMS will be using Independent Study Packets for our attendance recoupment process. In order to take advantage of this process, fill out the TMS Attendance Recoupment Contract here. Then use the link below to head to the grade level and month. Each folder has four separate packets per month. Each packet represents one day of recoupment. Have your student complete the work and turn it in to Mrs. Fiorenza.