High School Gifted Independent Study , offered at all high schools, allows students to pursue areas of personal interest under the guidance of an assigned mentor. The AP program provides opportunities for students to take college-level course work and earn advanced placement or college credit from participating colleges and universities via examination. The trend toward increasing the number of credits a student must have to graduate has forced students to be more selective with respect to the number of courses they take for local credit. All students tend to be more creative when they are interested or intrinsically motivated. Research indicates that the individual interests of gifted and talented students can be accommodated more effectively if students are allowed to choose among curriculum options such as assignments and activities, work products, independent studies, and group learning settings.
Many researchers recommend such independent study approaches for gifted students.
The AP program, by contrast, is highly structured, requiring the use of a specified curriculum. Independent study programs provide such opportunities. State curriculum standards for Texas school districts are specified in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Districts may offer for state graduation credit a number of independent study courses in subjects including English, speech, journalism, mathematics, social studies, and health science technology. Develop independent study courses that fulfill the requirements for state graduation credit as outlined in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.