Individualized Learning Plans: Connecting Schoolwork with Plans for the Future

1. Individualized Learning Plans: Connecting Schoolwork with Plans for the Future Barbara J. Crudale Kathy Sisson Belinda J. Wilkerson ASCA Annual Conference, Dallas TX June 2009

2. What does your chocolate say about you? • Milk Chocolate • Dark Chocolate • Mr. Goodbar • Krackle

3. Why an ILP? • RI Regulations • Economic realities for students (see chart, next slide) • Connections to IDEA rules and regulations on transition • Ensuring equity of services • Access to rigorous courses

4. Expected Lifetime Earnings of the 18 to 64 Year Old RI Resident, by Educational Attainment 2005-2007(In 2007 dollars)

5. Nationwide ILP Report Results of State Survey on Individual Learning Plans Faith Connolly (2008) • States with Mandated ILPs/Guidance or Policy Framework – 21 • States with Non-Mandated ILPs – 9 Based on reports from 46 states

6. Components of Rhode Island ILP • Goals • Reflections • Biannual update • Plan beyond high school

7. Types of ILPs • Paper • Electronic • Individual School-based server RICHER Picture www.richerpicture.com/sk • Statewide program: www.Waytogori.org

8. ILP Process • Roles and Responsibilities -school wide effort • Pilot Program • Possibly with one class • Use resources readily available -Share data with the community

9. Where do you want to be in 5 years? • Academic, professional development goals • Personal/Social dreams • Career ambitions

10. Planning for the Future

11. Academic Place to keep track of academic credits, learning styles information, teacher references Suggested Resources • 5 year plan • http://www.educationatlas.com/study-skills.html • http://www.studygs.net • Other learning styles resources • Credit audit

12. Career Place to keep references, volunteer and employment experiences, résumé Suggested Resources • Printed • Harrington O’Shea • Kuder’s • Electronic • O*NET • America’s Career Resource Network • www.waytogori.org

13. Personal/Social Place to keep list of hobbies, travel experiences, extracurricular activities Suggested Resources • Narragansett High School’s ILP • www.waytogori.org

14. Step back…Data Collection from an ILP • Critical data element – what are you trying to change with ILPs? • Process Data • Perception Data • Results Data • Process vs Product

15. Lessons Learned • Implementation takes time AND many revisions • Process over Product • Power of pilot programs • Importance of leaders/collaborators • Students connect personal and career goals with academic goals and course work • Student driven working document

16. Why ILP? • Students “The ILP keeps me thinking about the future and careers I am interested.” Freshman, South Kingstown High School, RI • Counselors “ILPs have moved counselors to the forefront of education…we are now seated at the table with other stakeholders in discussing what students need to know and assisting students in planning for their futures.” Secondary School Counselor, South Kingstown High School, RI

17. Individualized Learning Plans: Connecting Schoolwork with Plans for the Future Barbara J. Crudale bjcrudale@cox.net Kathy Sisson ksisson@riheaa.org Belinda J. Wilkerson bwilkers@providence.edu