Act 77 Flexible Pathways &
Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs)
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This act creates a Flexible Pathways Initiative within the Agency of Education to expand opportunities for secondary students to complete high school and achieve postsecondary readiness. Among other things, the act provides the opportunity for each high school student to enroll in two dual enrollment courses at no expense to the student, authorizes the development of additional early college programs through which students complete 12th grade entirely on a college campus, and removes the upper age limit for participation in the High School Completion Program.
A key component of the act, also implemented in elementary schools, concerns “Personalized Learning Plans” (PLP). These are documented, evolving plans developed on behalf of a student in an ongoing process involving the student, a representative of the school, and the student’s parents or legal guardian. It is updated annually. The plan shall be developmentally appropriate and shall reflect the student’s emerging abilities, aptitude, and disposition. On the secondary level, the plan shall define the scope and rigor of academic and experiential opportunities necessary for a student to complete secondary school successfully, attain postsecondary readiness, and be prepared to engage actively in civic life. While often less formalized, personalized learning and personalized instructional approaches are critical to students in kindergarten through grade 6 as well. |
