How do you know if your child is ready for more independence and self-directed learning?

Start with one day per week of completely self-directed learning. Observe what they choose and how they use the time.

Introduce a weekly planning meeting. Parent and child plan together. Gradually the child's input increases and the parent's decreases.

Give them a long-term project with a self-chosen outcome and a three-month deadline. How they manage it tells you everything about their readiness.

Self-direction is a skill to be taught, not a switch that flips. Start with one subject, one hour. Add responsibility as the child demonstrates capability.