This research report summarizes a study of independent study projects in 36 American secondary schools selected from a list of 317 schools nominated as having definite and organized independent study programs. The investigators found 8,584 students in the 36 schools involved in independent study programs. Independent study is defined as learning activity that is (1) motivated by the learner's own aims, (2) rewarded in terms of its intrinsic values, (3) somewhat independent of the class, and (4) using the services of teachers primarily as resources for the learner. Most schools offered independent study in from two to seven areas. The field drawing the largest number of students was science, followed by English and social studies. Questionnaire data gathered from 300 teachers showed that those teachers who have had experience with independent study programs favor their expansion. (MF)