VERMONT S ACT 77 AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

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1 VERMONT S ACT 77 AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION Opportunity and Equity John Spinney, Post-Secondary Transition Specialist Debi Price, Education Project Manager Vermont Agency of Education May 2014

2 What is Act 77, the Flexible Pathways Initiative? 941. Flexible Pathways Initiative There is created within the Agency a Flexible Pathways Initiative: To encourage and support the creativity of school districts as they develop and expand high-quality educational experiences that are an integral part of secondary education in the evolving 21st Century classroom; To promote opportunities for Vermont students to achieve postsecondary readiness through high-quality educational experiences that acknowledge individual goals, learning styles, and abilities; and To increase the rates of secondary school completion and postsecondary continuation in Vermont.

3 Act 77 On June 6, 2013 Governor Peter Shumlin signed the Flexible Pathways bill (S.130/Act77) which provides for: Expansion of the existing Statewide Dual Enrollment Program Expansion of the Early College Programs Increased access to work-based learning Increased virtual/blended learning opportunities Increased access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) Implementation of Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) - Proficiency based graduation (EQS)

4 Personalized Learning Plans Schools work with every student in grade seven through grade 12 in an ongoing personalized learning planning process that: (A) identifies the student s emerging abilities, aptitude, and disposition; (B) includes participation by families and other engaged adults; (C) guides decisions regarding course offerings and other high-quality educational experiences; (D) is documented by a personalized learning plan.

5 Personalized Learning Plans Schools create opportunities for secondary students to pursue flexible pathways to graduation that: (A) increase aspiration and encourage postsecondary continuation of training and education; (B) are an integral component of a student s personalized learning plan; and include: Work-based learning opportunities, including career and technical education and internships Virtual learning and blended learning Dual enrollment opportunities Early college programs High School Completion Program

6 Personalized Learning Plans The Vermont Agency of Education and the Vermont Personalized Learning Plan Work Group have developed a series of resources to help schools consider ways in which they can plan for and implement Personalized Learning Plans. Conceptual Framework PLP_Conceptual_Framework_for_Adults.pdf Implementation TimeLine PLP_Implementation_Timeline.pdf Please the see the sample template at

7 VT Dual Enrollment Program Dual enrollment vouchers are available for juniors and seniors in a course offered by an accredited postsecondary institution. Non-remedial courses only. When successfully completed, will offer students: - secondary credit toward secondary school graduation; - postsecondary credit from the institution offering the course What if a student is on an IEP? Do they get specialized support at the college? Please see flow chart Memo_2013_10_Dual_Enrollment_Bulletin.pdf

8 VT Early College Program Vermont's Early College Program has expanded with funds being made available to students beginning in the academic year. Colleges and Universities may develop an early admission program that allows high school seniors to take a full year of college-level classes while completing their high school degree. The Early College Program (ECP) simultaneously serves as a student's senior year of high school and a full year of college credit. Students may take a year-long course of study in any discipline. Special Education Implications- same as VT dual enrollment program

9 Work Based Learning Work-based learning experiences are activities that involve actual work experience or that connect classroom learning to employment and careers. Through work-based learning experiences, educational programs become more relevant, rigorous, challenging, and rewarding for students, parents, educators, and businesses. These opportunities particularly help students make the connection between academic principles and real world applications.

10 Work Based Learning 9 Grants awarded with an average of $10,000 issued. Goal of getting schools to standardize their approach. Creation of Vermont Work Based Learning Gold Standards. A WBL Coordinator is a certified individual who plans, implements, teaches, and coordinates instruction and related supervised experiential learning in business/industry, professional, and community settings. Special Education Implications: Goal of increased collaboration between WBL coordinators and special educators

11 Proficiency Based Graduation Proficiency-based graduation refers to systems of instruction, assessment, grading and academic reporting that are based on students demonstrating mastery of the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn before they progress to the next lesson, get promoted to the next grade level, or receive a diploma.

12 Proficiency Based Graduation and the IEP Please see the new graduation requirements in the VT Education Quality Standards FinalEQS_AsAdopted.pdf Special Ed Implications: This replaces the Multi Year Plan!

13 Resources? Visit the Vermont AOE website General Education questions Debi Price, Education Project Manager, VT Agency of Education Special Education questions John Spinney, Post Secondary Transition Specialist Vermont Agency of Education