The California Consortium for Independent Study was formed on May 13, 1977 in Concord, California by twenty-five independent study pioneers who wanted to form an organization which would support others interested in providing students with this educational option.

The organization has an elected Executive Board consisting of a President, Vice-President for Programs, Vice-President for Membership, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past-President.  Board members serve two year terms.  The board meets quarterly, and on an as-needed basis, to develop the policies and legislative platform of the organization.  In addition to the elected representatives, three other people, who do not have board voting rights, attend the meetings.  One is the liaison from the California Department of Education who keeps the board apprised of state issues that may affect its members and helps maintain a collaborative working relationship between the two groups.  Another key person is the representative from the organization's legislative advocacy group, Birdsall, Wasco, and Associates.  This person keeps the board updated on what's happening in Sacramento; with the governor's budget and its implications for education, especially alternative education; with legislation; and with bills that the organization sponsors and/or which would impact independent study providers and/or students.  Finally, the organization's executive secretary, who has been hired by the organization to handle the wide variety of clerical duties necessary to make the organization run efficiently, also attends those meetings.

The Board organizes an annual two-three day state conference; promotes compliance through workshop training sessions; meets with legislators, key people from the Department of Education and Department of Finance, and other education professional organizations on mutual issues and concerns; and publishes a quarterly newsletter.

In addition to the elected Executive Board, the organization is supported by local practitioners who have been chosen to support activities in the organization's eleven regions.  Most regions have a representative, assistant representative, and secretary-treasurer who are elected for two year terms.  Region representatives are responsible for holding region workshops, for publishing a quarterly region newsletter, and for ensuring that region members are kept abreast of information that is critical to them.  Some regions hold more frequent and less formal meetings usually focused on topics that are important to area providers such as sharing resources to help students pass the math portion of the high school exit exam.  Region representatives are invited to attend Executive Board meetings held in their area.