(a) Before enrolling a pupil in a course authorized by Section 51749.5, each school district, charter school, or county office of education shall provide the pupil and, if the pupil is less than 18 years of age, the pupil’s parent or legal guardian, with a written learning agreement that includes all of the following:

(1) A summary of the policies and procedures adopted by the governing board or body of the school district, charter school, or county office of education pursuant to Section 51749.5, as applicable.

(2) The duration of the enrolled course or courses, the duration of the learning agreement, and the number of course credits for each enrolled course consistent with the certifications adopted by the governing board or body of the school district, charter school, or county office of education pursuant to Section 51749.5. The duration of a learning agreement shall not exceed a school year or span multiple school years.

(3) The learning objectives and expectations for each course, including, but not limited to, a description of how satisfactory educational progress is measured and when a pupil evaluation is required to determine whether the pupil should remain in the course or be referred to an alternative program, which may include, but is not limited to, a regular school program.

(4) The specific resources, including materials and personnel, that will be made available to the pupil.

(5) A statement that the pupil is not required to enroll in courses authorized pursuant to Section 51749.5.

(b) (1) The learning agreement shall be signed by the pupil and, if the pupil is less than 18 years of age, the pupil’s parent or legal guardian, and all certificated employees providing instruction before instruction may commence.

(2) The signed learning agreement constitutes permission from a pupil’s parent or legal guardian, if the pupil is less than 18 years of age, for the pupil to receive instruction through independent study.

(3) A physical or electronic copy of the signed learning agreement shall be retained by the school district, county office of education, or charter school for at least three years and as appropriate for auditing purposes.

(4) For purposes of this section, an electronic copy includes a computer or electronic stored image of an original document, including, but not limited to, portable document format, JPEG, or other digital image file type, that may be sent via fax machine, email, or other electronic means.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 32, Sec. 39. (SB 858) Effective June 20, 2014.)