Independent Study and Seminar Program- ISSP

What is it?

Independent Study and Seminar Program (ISSP) is one of Connecticut’s oldest and most established high school programs for talented and gifted students, having been in continuous existence since 1967. It is a program for gifted and potentially gifted high school students. It may include a seminar, a college course, special Yale-affiliated program, or Independent Study coursework, and/or independent writing/research/project with a Sound School mentor or coordinating teacher.

Philosophy and Goals:

ISSP’s philosophy and goals are similar to those of The Sound School in that we place students first and respond to their needs and interests. ISSP has made a commitment to help students grow in self-awareness, in academic preparation, in practical experience and responsibility. ISSP believes that learning is an active, on-going process. Additionally, it is our unique belief that one can use a student’s interest as a springboard towards developing that student’s academic potential to the fullest.

The overall objective of ISSP is to help students become independent learners by:

• learning how to pursue a subject on one’s own and transfer that knowledge to other areas of study;
• focusing on interests and goals;
• utilizing learning strategies and connections in learning;
• extrapolating, synthesizing, and interpreting critically;
• learning by understanding that one question leads to others;
• developing creativity in problem solving;
• noting the value of interdisciplinary studies;
• finding a course of study not provided in the regular classroom;
• encouraging “give and take” in group discussions;
• learning through experience outside the classroom;
• fostering originality and inventiveness;
• recognizing that failures, frustrations, setbacks, and successes are part of the learning process;
• developing humility and open-mindedness;
• developing a sense of responsibility and an ability for self-evaluation;
• appreciating the emotional involvement in the learning process.

Application Process: 

Students taking an Independent Study course are required to complete a written proposal prior to the beginning of their course which includes: course goals and objectives, course particulars detailing content, including text/s, exam/s, presentation/s, project/s and scope, specific explanations on how the student’s grade will be assessed, and the expected outcome for the student in terms of the relevancy of course to student’s needs and studies. The ISSP Coordinator and the proposed teacher of the course can guide/assist with this, but this is the prospective student’s responsibility. After completing the proposal, it must be approved by the Coordinating
Teacher, Independent Study Coordinator, ISSP Administrator, and parent. Also used in evaluating the student for an IS course are teacher recommendations, previous grades, test scores on Differential Aptitude Tests (DATs) and Torrance Test of Creativity (exams given to only freshmen and sophomore students recommended by teacher or guidance counselor), PSATs, SATs, demonstrated special projects, and personal interviews. These are among the criteria used in accordance with state guidelines.

How Should Students Proceed?

Students should check first with the Independent Study Coordinator to discuss the IS Proposal Process. The student will work with their coordinating teacher to complete the proposal, advise Guidance of the course and then obtain the principal’s preliminary approval. The ISSP Coordinator will be available to discuss any preliminaries of the proposed course that the student encounters. The completed IS Proposal must be submitted to the ISSP Coordinator for final administrative approval. 

Sample Independent Study Courses:

• Algebra 1 and Geometry Review
• Diamond Terrapin Turtle Studies
• Writing and Composition Review
• Biotechnology in Aquaculture Study
• Fisheries Biology and Management
• Basic Stamp and C++
• Marine Propulsion
• World Countries and Their Histories
• Culture and Society in America
• The Roman Empire and Its Vast Influences
• Influences and Practices of Martial Arts
• Anthropology at the Peabody Museum
• Egyptian Lifestyles
• World War II Prior to US Entry
• Perspectives on Technology

“College Before College” Program
ISSP - College Courses
IS Yale Courses 
GRADE 11, 12
SEMESTER
Level 1 Credit 1.0 

Prerequisites: Recommendation by a teacher and personal interview with ISSP Coordinator. A “B+” grade point average is necessary, along with a grade of 3 or higher on an AP exam for language if taking a Yale language course and/or SAT scores of minimally 1650, preferably higher for all courses. Entrance exams may be required for some courses. 
Description: Students take courses at Yale University along with Yale undergraduates. They are graded and treated as though they are college students. Courses range from world languages, English literature, psychology, and science to mathematics. Students will meet with the IS Coordinator on a weekly basis at the beginning of the course until the student proves secure in their new environment. Also, an interview with the ISSP Coordinator is also mandatory mid-semester for credit to be issued.

Course Assessment: To be set by college professor at the beginning of the course.
IS SCSU Courses 
GRADE 11, 12
SEMESTER
Level 1 Credit 1.0 

Prerequisites: Recommendation by a teacher and personal interview with ISSP Coordinator. A “B” grade point average, a grade of 3 or higher on an AP exam for language, if taking a SCSU language course and/or SAT scores of 1500 or higher for all courses. Language, English and math courses require an entrance exam, given usually in October or March; the university sets the date.
Description: Students take courses at SCSU along with SCSU undergraduates. They are graded and treated as though they are college students. Courses range from world languages, English literature, psychology and science to mathematics. Students will meet with the IS Coordinator on a weekly basis at the beginning of the course until they prove secure in their new environment. Also, an interview with the ISSP Coordinator is also mandatory mid-semester for credit to be issued.

Course Assessment: To be set by college professor at the beginning of the course.
IS Gateway Community College Courses 
GRADE 10, 11, 12
SEMESTER
Level 1 Credit 1.0 

Prerequisites: Written recommendations by two teachers and personal interview with the ISSP Coordinator. A “B-“ grade point average is also required to take any course at Gateway. Entrance exams may be required for some courses. 

Course Description: Students take courses along with Gateway graduates. They are graded and treated as though they are college students. Courses range from world languages, English literature, business and computers to mathematics. Students will meet with the IS Coordinator on a weekly basis at the beginning of the course until they prove secure in their new environment. Also, an interview with the ISSP Coordinator is also mandatory mid-semester for credit to be issued.

Course Assessment: To be set by college professor at the beginning of the course.
IS University of New Haven Courses      
GRADE 11, 12
SEMESTER
Level 1 Credit 1 

Prerequisites: Recommendation by a teacher and personal interview with ISSP Coordinator. A “B+” grade point average is necessary, along with a grade of 3 or higher on an AP exam for language, if taking a UNH language course and/or SAT scores of minimally 1650, preferably higher for all courses. Entrance exams may be required for some courses. .

Description: Students take courses at UNH along with UNH undergraduates. They are graded and treated as though they are college students. Courses range from world languages, English literature, psychology, and science to mathematics. Students will meet with the IS Coordinator on a weekly basis at the beginning of the course until they prove secure in their new environment. Also, an interview with the ISSP Coordinator is also mandatory mid-semester for credit to be issued.

Course Assessment: To be set by college professor at the beginning of the course.

Sample College Courses at Yale, SCSU and Gateway

Introduction to Women’s Studies (Feminist Thought)

• Pre-Calculus

• Evolution of Languages

• Calculus of Functions of One Variable I

• Calculus of Functions of One Variable II

• Introduction to Cognitive Sciences

• Sociology: Culture and Society in America

• C++ Computer Programming

• Women’s Health and Psychology

• Physics for Today

• Evolution of Language

• Introduction to Psychology

• Power and Conflict in Modern Societies

• Music Elementary Studies – Analysis & Composition

• General Biology

• Introduction to Sociology

• Ancient Rome: Architecture, Topography and Civilization

UNH – Outstanding High School Senior Program

This is open to all qualified senior students in the New Haven Public School system. Accepted applicants will take 4-5 classes at UNH during the spring semester of their senior year. Candidates are usually in the top 10% of their class, with strong academic achievement and developed sense of maturity. Applications can be picked up from guidance counselor or ISSP Coordinator in October and are due to UNH usually by November. The highly selective process includes application, essay and an interview on campus in December. UNH notifies all candidates by mail.

Shafer Family Scholarship

This is a 5-week summer program designed for high-level minority students, who have completed their junior year and have demonstrated personal maturity, strong academic achievement, and strong motivation for continuing study. Grade point average, transcript, SAT scores and essay are required for application. Shafer Scholars live on the Yale campus and take Yale University courses. Scholarship covers tuition and room and board. There is also a stipend attached for book allowance. Applications are available from the ISSP Coordinator usually in February/ March and due around April/May. 

Frontiers of Science and Engineering at Yale

This is a two-month Saturday morning program during March and April for high school juniors interested in science and engineering. It is a program originally initiated approximately twenty years ago to address needs of ISSP students from New Haven and Hamden, although students from as far as New York and Rhode Island have participated. Applications are usually sent to the schools in November/December and completed application forms are due at the Council of Engineering at Yale in late January. Science teachers are encouraged to attend.

Connecticut Scholars Program at Choate-Rosemary Hall

There is a one-summer commitment program, sponsored by the district and possible grants, for all students residing in New Haven and in their sophomore or junior year. These students have demonstrated strengths in math/science or English/social sciences. These students will also reside at Choate-Rosemary Hall and take courses in their interested areas. They also will be able to participate in all sport and social activities. Announcements and application forms are sent to all New Haven high schools in October/November. Highly qualified and interested sophomores and juniors are nominated by teachers or guidance counselors. Candidate selection usually takes place in December/January. A student’s grades, teacher recommendations, personal essay, PSAT or SAT scores are all used in the selection process. Decisions are made by an independent selection committee and the student candidates are notified by mail.

Yale-New Haven Saturday Seminars

A New Haven Public School and Yale joint program provides students the opportunity for further intensive study. Study may include the following areas:

• Law and Criminal Justice

• Photography

• Architecture

• Creative Writing

• SAT Prep Verbal (one semester) and Math (the other semester)

• Modern Greek Language, Civilization and Culture

• Theater/Drama

• Lyrical Dance

• Sculpture

• Chinese

• Introducing the Behavioral Sciences

The seminars are held on Saturday mornings at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School and credit (.5) is given through ISSP upon completion of course, mid-year self evaluation and interview at the request of the IS Coordinator. Information and applications are given out and accepted in September. Sessions usually begin in October and end in May. Interested students should see their guidance counselor or the ISSP Coordinator. Program is open to all levels of high school students.

SCLCEP- Southern Connecticut Language and Culture Exposure Program

This program offers students a chance to study languages not commonly offered at the high school level such as Japanese, Arabic, Italian, German, Russian, etc., during the school year. It is a non-intensive course offered on the Yale campus once a week for approximately 1.5 hours from October through May in cooperation with Yale and the Language Department of the New Haven Public Schools. Credit (.5) is given through ISSP upon completion of course, mid-year self-evaluation and interview with ISSP Coordinator upon request. The purpose of the program is to introduce students to world languages not offered in their high schools and if enough students wish to continue, allow them to further connection with the language. Course components include speaking and listening skills, and culture studies. Applications are available from language teachers or the ISSP Coordinator and are usually due by the third week of September for that academic year. Sessions usually begin in October and end in May. The Program is available to all Sound School students.

Yale New Haven Summer School

It is a five-week (mornings only) summer program on the Yale campus to help students develop and refine the skills necessary for college success, and examine a theme of an interdisciplinary nature. Emphasis is placed on note taking, research, reading, writing, and critical thinking. The program is open to sophomore, junior and senior students. Some past themes included: The Arts, Latin American History, Culture and Language, Theories of Personality and Psychotherapy and cultures of Russia, China, and Japan. Applications may be obtained from the student’s guidance counselor or the ISSP Coordinator and are usually due the last week of May and no later than the first Friday in June. 

Evolutions Program at Peabody Museum
This program is held at Peabody Museum and is an after school science literacy program with emphasis on critical thinking, college, careers, mentorships, and community service. Students choose a topic and are responsible for all aspect of designing an exhibition. Applicants need to be responsible, motivated and committed to participate. The program is open to freshman level with credit (.5) given upon course completion. Applications can be picked up from science teachers, Guidance Counselor or ISSP Coordinator and are due to Yale Peabody usually mid- to- late September.

Rev.02.08