(a) The Legislature finds and declares that by offering a range of quality educational options, including classroom-based, hybrid, and nonclassroom-based programs, local educational agencies can better tailor instruction to pupils, thereby improving academic outcomes while maximizing enrollment.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that local educational agencies offer educational programs that best serve the needs of their pupils.

(c) It is also the intent of the Legislature to encourage local educational agencies, when adopting a written policy pursuant to Section 51747 or 51749.5, to consider offering more than one independent study model for short- and long-term placements in accordance with Sections 51747, 51747.5, and 51749.6.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 52, Sec. 72. (AB 181) Effective June 30, 2022.)