Ed Services Resources

Educational standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade. In California, the State Board of Education decides on the standards for all students, from kindergarten through high school.

Since 2010, 45 states have adopted the same standards for English/Language Arts and Mathematics. These standards are called the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Having the same standards helps all students get a rigorous and consistent education, even if they change schools or move to a different state. Teachers, parents, and education experts designed the standards to prepare students for success in college and the workplace.

 The California Common Core Standards were implemented in the Tustin Unified School District in the 2013-2014 school year.

The Common Core Standards adopted by the California State Board of Education can be found at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/, and are listed below:

 

English-Language Arts

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Adopted August 2010 (Modified March 2013)
Click HERE to view the CA CCSS ELA

 

 

Mathematics

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Adopted August 2010 (Modified January, 2013)
Click HERE to view the CA CCSS Math

 

For more information on the California Common Core Standards, go to: http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/tl/whatareccss.asp

Common Core Standards Parent Handbook

Parent's Backpack Guide to Common Core State Standards

Guia para Padres sobre los Estandares Estatales Centrales Comunes

Common Core Video in English (0:00:34)

Common Core Video in Spanish (0:00:32)

 

Additionally, the California State Board of Education has adopted California Content Standards for the subject areas listed below:

English Language Development (2012)

Career Technical Education (2013)

Health Education (March 2008)

History-Social Science

Physical Education

Science

Visual and Performing Arts

World Languages

Adult Education

Tustin Adult School
1701 San Juan Street
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 730-7395

Coordinator:
Will Neddersen

The Tustin Unified School District offers program for adult learners in the following program areas:

English as A Second Language (ESL)

U.S. Citizenship Preparation

High School Diploma

High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET, TASC)

Basic Skills: Reading, Writing, Math

Career Technical / Computers

These programs operate on an open-entry/open-exit basis, which means that most students can start at any time. Students interested in Basic Skills, Diploma or Equivalency will meet with a Counselor prior to being enrolled. For the other program areas, students can view the schedule of classes at www.TustinAdultSchool.org.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

AVID is a middle and high school program designed to prepare and accelerate students in the middle (between a 2.0 and 3.5 grade point average) for admission to four-year universities and colleges.

The TUSD AVID program is offered at the following TUSD sites:

• Columbus Tustin Middle School
• Hewes Middle School
• Orchard Hills Middle School
• Pioneer Middle School
• Utt Middle School
• Beckman High School
• Foothill High School
• Tustin High School

The goal of AVID is to educate the "whole student." This is achieved by unifying six important elements in a successful student's education: student, curriculum, faculty, tutors, parents, and community.

AVID is an academic, regularly-scheduled, elective class that includes lessons on note-taking and study skills, twice-weekly academic support with college tutors, writing for all classes, speaking and leadership opportunities, success strategy development, college campus visits, college and career guest speakers, participation in extra-curricular and community activities, increased access to college preparatory coursework, scholarship and college applications, and preparation for a professional career.

AVID students enroll in rigorous academic classes and in the AVID elective class, where they receive academic support.

 

AVID Excel

AVID Excel is a middle school AVID companion program focusing on language and literacy. AVID Excel is designed to accelerate long-term English language learners' success in middle and high school and prepare for entrance to college. This elective class includes the same components of the AVID class with an emphasis on English language development and academic language acquisition, serves as a bridge into high school AVID, and supports future success in a global society.

AVID Excel is offered at the following TUSD AVID middle schools:

• Columbus Tustin Middle School
• Utt Middle School

For more information on TUSD AVID or AVID Excel please contact:
Jennifer Kang-Rodriguez, TUSD Teacher on Special Assignment/AVID, at jkangrodriguez@tustin.k12.ca.us (714) 730-7301 x506.

You may also contact the site AVID Coordinator at your child's school for information specific to individual site programs. 

Click on the links below for more information on each program.

CHILD CARE PROGRAMS at TUSD Schools

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN (TK)

KINDERGARTEN READINESS

Gifted and Talented Education  Program

The purpose of the Tustin Unified School District GATE Program is to provide gifted and talented students with an instructional program that meets their unique and diverse educational needs.

The purpose of the Tustin Unified School District GATE Program is to provide gifted and talented students with an instructional program that meets their unique and diverse educational needs.  Instructional support for gifted learners is based on current research and best practice in the field of gifted education, and offers the necessary challenge for gifted students to reach their fullest potential.  The Tustin Unified School District Gifted and Talented Education Program provides students with a differentiated core curriculum that is designed to provide depth and complexity in thinking as well as opportunities for novelty and in-depth research, while nurturing their social and emotional well-being.  For more information, contact the GATE Department at TUSDGATEinfo@tustin.k12.ca.us or call us at (714) 730-7301, ext. 51372.

TUSD GATE Information Page

300 South C Street Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 730-7301 ext. 372
TUSDGATEinfo@tustin.k12.ca.us

The academic and co-curricular programs are designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity, creativity and risk-taking with the goal of encouraging independence in learning.

Please click on the site links below for information on programs offered at each school site.

Columbus Tustin Middle School

Heritage Elementary

Legacy Magnet Academy

Sycamore Magnet Academy

Tustin Memorial Academy

You can also click HERE to view our district Course Catalogs and other information.

Information coming Spring 2023. 

 Click HERE for full program information. 

Independent Study Program
Independent Study is an optional alternative instructional strategy for students whose needs may be best met through study outside of the regular classroom setting. Independent study shall offer a means of individualizing the educational plan to serve students who desire a more challenging educational experience, whose health or other personal circumstances make classroom attendance difficult, or whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction, as determined by the parent or guardian (EC 51745), who are unable to access course(s) due to scheduling problems, and/or who need to make up credits or fill gaps in their learning. The administrator/designee determines whether or not an independent study contract will be approved.

Independent Study contracts may be requested for when a student will be missing 3 or more consecutive school days. Short term independent study shall be a minimum of 3 consecutive school days and cannot exceed 14 school days each year. Longer term independent study shall be a minimum of 15 consecutive school days and instruction shall be provided to all pupils through Tustin Connect, with the exception for students who participate in longer term independent study due to necessary medical treatments or in-patient treatment for health care or substance abuse.

Independent Study Enrollment and Notice
Before signing an Independent Study master agreement with the pupil’s parent or guardian, the admin/designee shall conduct a phone, videoconference, or in-person pupil-parent-educator conference or other school meeting during which the pupil, parent or guardian, and, if requested by the pupil or parent, an education advocate, may ask questions about the educational options, including which curriculum offerings and nonacademic supports will be available to the pupil in independent study, before making the decision about enrollment or disenrollment in the various options for learning.

Independent Study Work Submission
Assignments completed and submitted by due date will earn full academic and attendance credit. To receive full credit, all work in all subjects must be completed. The manner, time, frequency, and place for submitting work is specified on the assignment contract. All parties agree that failure to complete this contract may result in the lowering of a grade and will require evaluation of whether or not the pupil may participate in a future Independent Study Contract.

Independent study assignments shall be completed no more than one week after assigned for all grade levels and types of programs offered. When necessary, based on the specific circumstances of the student's approved program, the Superintendent or designee may allow for a longer period of time between the date an assignment is made and when it is due.  However, in no event shall the due date of an assignment be extended beyond the termination date of the agreement.

Independent Study Master Agreement
For the 2022-23 school year only, the District shall obtain a signed written agreement for independent study from the pupil, or the pupil’s parent or legal guardian if the pupil is less than 18 years of age, the certificated employee who has been designated as having responsibility for the general supervision of independent study, and the certificated employee responsible for the student’s special education programming, if applicable, within 10 days of the beginning of the first day of the student’s enrollment for an independent study program that is scheduled for less than 15 days. Long-term independent study agreements (15 or more school days) must be signed before commencement of independent study.

The independent study agreement for each participating student also shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (Education Code 51747; 5 CCR 11700, 11702)

1. The frequency, time, place and manner for submitting the student's assignments, reporting the student’s academic progress, and communicating with a student’s parent/guardian regarding the student's academic progress
    
2. The objectives and methods of study for the student's work and the methods used to evaluate that work
    
3. The specific resources that will be made available to the student, including materials and personnel, and access to Internet connectivity and devices adequate to participate in the educational program and complete assigned work
    
4. A statement of the Board's policy detailing the maximum length of time allowed between an assignment and its completion, the level of satisfactory educational progress, and the number of missed assignments which will trigger an evaluation of whether the student should be allowed to continue in independent study
    
5. The duration of the independent study agreement, including the beginning and ending dates for the student's participation in independent study under the agreement, with a maximum of one school year
    
6. A statement of the number of course credits or, for the elementary grades, other measures of academic accomplishment appropriate to the agreement, to be earned by the student upon completion
    
7. A statement detailing the academic and other supports that will be provided to address the needs of students who are not performing at grade level, or need support in other areas, such as English learners, students with disabilities with an individualized education program or a Section 504 plan in order to be consistent with their program or plan, students in foster care or experiencing homelessness, and students requiring mental health supports.
    
8. A statement that independent study is an optional educational alternative in which no student may be required to participate.

9. In the case of a suspended or expelled student who is referred or assigned to any school, class, or program pursuant to Education Code 48915 or 48917, a statement that instruction may be provided through independent study only if the student is offered the alternative of classroom instruction
    
10. Before the commencement of independent study, the agreement shall be signed and dated by the student, the student’s parent/guardian or caregiver if the student is under age 18 years, the certificated employee responsible for the general supervision of independent study, and all persons who have direct responsibility for providing assistance to the student.  If a student receives special education and related services and the individualized education program (IEP) team decides the student can receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in independent study, “the certificated employee with responsibility for the student’s special education programming” must be a signatory to the written agreement. (EC §§ 51747 (g)(9)(F) and 51749.6 (b)(1), AB 181)

Written agreements may be signed using an electronic signature that complies with state and federal standards, as determined by the California Department of Education (CDE). (Education Code 51747)

The parent/guardian's signature on the agreement shall constitute permission for the student to receive instruction through independent study.