The State of California requires that the reporting for Independent Study MUST be separate from regular attendance. Certain procedures must be set up within Aeries in order to accomplish this requirement. 


Documentation is available at the following link:  Independent Study Documentation


Students on long-term or short-term independent study contracts should NOT be recorded as having ‘excused’ or ‘unexcused’ absences.  A student in an independent study agreement is participating in an educational alternative that does NOT recognize the concept of ‘present’ or ‘absent’, but instead is based upon the evaluation of the quality of work completed.  For example, what is recognized as ‘home schooling’, is actually a long-term independent study contract.


Two absence codes must be set up in the Absence Code Table. One must indicate that the Independent Study work assignments are incomplete and the other must indicate that the work assignments have been completed


 The two Absence Codes should be added with the following settings:

  • Independent Study – Incomplete
  • Count for ADA option – NOT Checked
  • Independent Study Option:  Incomplete
  • Verified Not Absent Checked for the Type of Attendance



  • Independent Study –Complete
  • Count for ADA option - Checked
  • Independent Study Option:  Complete
  • Verified Not Absent Checked for the Type of Attendance