Personalized Learning Plan Q and A

What is a PLP? PLP stands for Personalized Learning Plan. A Personalized Learning Plan acts as a tool for improving connectedness and communication among students, teachers, and administrators throughout a students K-12 career. PLPs in West Des Moines will ask students their strengths, needs, and learning styles. What is the purpose of a PLP? A PLP provides a framework for conversation in an effort to get to know every student and respond to his/her academic and social needs. PLPs provide an opportunity for a teacher to dialogue with a student about his/her strengths and needs in a comfortable way. For more information on how PLPs can impact students, please read: The power of personalization: http://wdmtech.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/the-power-of-personalization/ Why are we doing PLPs? Our district has been identified as a District in Need of Assistance (DINA). When looking at data to determine our action plan, the data revealed that many students did not find joy in learning and many students did not feel connected to an adult in the building. For example, 1 out of 3 students indicated they did not feel encouraged, advocated for, or didnt feel that people cared about them in school according to Vision Survey and Iowa Youth Survey data. To address this need, a team of teachers, administrators, students and parents began researching ways to improve this situation. After months of research, PLPs rose to the top as a viable option that will benefit students. For more information on the research and past committee work, please read: Our search for Personalized Learning Plans: http://wdmtech.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/plp/ PLP examples from other schools: http://wdmtech.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/plp-examples/ Who will have a PLP? Eventually, all students will have a PLP, including students with other plans (IEPs, 504s, ELP Plans). The timeline below outlines the first two years of implementation. During those first two years, the PLP committee will review implementation, make adjustments as needed, and continue to plan for further implementation at all grade levels.

Year 1 Write grades 7th, 9th, and 10th

Year 2 Write grades 6th, 7th and 9th Write grade 3 at Phenix Revise 8th, 10th, and 11th

When will we implement PLPs? PLPs will be implemented at all secondary buildings in the fall of 2013. All students in grades 7th, 9th, and 10th will have a PLP completed prior to the first parent-teacher conferences. These PLPs will also be reviewed prior to the second parent-teacher conferences. This same timeline will be utilized as we add additional grade levels during the following years. Professional development for administering PLPs will occur as determined by each buildings principal; however, it is suggested the PD occur in the spring prior to the year of implementation.

Who will administer the PLPs? The conversations and completion of PLPs will be done by a teacher in the building that has current contact with the student (i.e. advisory teacher, homeroom teacher, etc.). PLPs take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete for each student. The specific process for administration of PLPs will be determined at the building level. Protocols to ensure consistency will be provided to administrators at each building. How will the PLPs be used? The PLPs will be used by a students current teacher to help the teacher understand the students strengths and needs. The understanding of these strengths and weaknesses will help the teacher differentiate instruction based on their readiness, interests, and learning styles. The PLPs will be reviewed and updated at least once a year. Each school will have a plan for when and how teachers will review their students plans and discuss ways they can use the plans to help meet students needs. PLPs are intended to facilitate a conversation with a student about their strengths and areas of need and for teachers to use that information to meet those needs. While there is no legal mandate to follow a PLP, it is important that each student feels safe and advocated for while in school; and a PLP is a tool to aid in that endeavor.

PLP Notes November 2012 Proposed PLP Implementation Timeline

Year 1 Write grades 7th, 9th, and 10th Write K-12 new to the district Write any non-IEP struggling learner Year 2 Write grades 7th and 9th Review 8th, 10th, and 11th Write K-12 new to the district Write any non-IEP struggling learner Year 3 Write 7 Review 8-12 Write K-12 new to the district Write any non-IEP struggling learner
th

Elements to note: This plan does not do PLPs for all elementary students only those that are new or are struggling learners This is only the first three years of the plan changes and revision can be made as needed beyond this

Proposed Communication Plan

After PLP Committee establishes the purpose, process, etc: 1) Go to school board for approval and recommendations 2) Administrators: school administrators need the following in place: supports, resources, establish expectations in each building (could be different at different levels) 3) Teachers/WDMEA: Secondary level: volunteers and use of counselors

Elementary level: homeroom teachers or SPED teachers; doesnt always need to be the homeroom teacher. Training for teachers and use of resources and supports Accountability Common language 4) Students: discussion with students about purpose and expectations 5) Parents: As the committee hasnt done anything to include parents at this point, we would prefer to leave them off the list at this point (except to communicate that we are doing PLPs) a. Focus to teach kids to be self-advocates b. PLP is for students c. Parents can muddy conversations and take away from a students point of view d. Students may feel less open if parents are there

Proposed Professional Development Plan

Phase 1 6 reps (2 from each level- people who are not intimidated by resistance; can maintain a positive attitude; remain calm under pressure) work together to create consistent presentation and answers to anticipated questions (approved by DINA PLP committee) Meet with the schools during Wednesday collaboration time (elementary reps meet with elementary schools, junior high with junior high schools, and high school reps with high school teachers) Combine some schools for presentation (these are only ideas) o Jordan Creek/Westridge o Phenix/Hillside o AM- Clive, PM- Crestview o Indian Hills/Stilwell Presentation includes overview of PLPs, purpose; how it will be implemented; and specific time commitments for each building Phase 2 September/October PD day (2-4 hours???) Involve counselors and PLP committee members Have hands-on PD stations Logging onto the system Developing PLP questionnaire that is tailored to each specific level Role playing PLPs Ensuring common language throughout the district Explain specific time commitments (again!!!) tailored to each building When Where What is provided Phase 3 Implementation Other Money- where will it come from and how long will the funding last Provide lunch or treats for staff???

PLP Protocols
Administering PLPs When PLPs will be administered to each student prior to the first conferences at each building (Sept/Oct) PLPs will be updated for each student prior to the end of the school year (April/May) Who PLPs should be administered by a students homeroom teacher at the elementary level and by the advisory teacher at the secondary level (Do we need a caveat about students who may not feel comfortable with those teachers) Steps to Administering a PLP 1. Give students questionnaire a few days prior to the conference to help prepare for the conversation. 2. Locate a quiet place where the student and teacher can talk in confidence. 3. Have a conversation about the students academic and social strengths. 4. Have a conversation about the students academic and social needs. 5. Have a conversation about the students learning styles/preferences. 6. Have a student set a long-term goal for themselves.

Do Use the students words when writing a PLP

Avoid Using teacher language or opinions when writing a PLP

Parental Involvement in PLPs What to do if a concern arises during a PLP conversation What else?

Name______________________________ Tiger Time Teacher _____________________ Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) Questionnaire Academic Strengths 1. What subject area(s) do you do well in? _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 2. Why do you think you do well in this/these area/areas? _________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Academic Needs 1. What subject area(s) do you struggle in? ____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 2. Why do you think you struggle in this/these area/areas? ________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Think about the following when describing your personality: How well do you get along and work with others? Do you prefer to do work alone, in a small group, or in a big group? How easily do you make friends? What kind of a friend you are (how loyal are you, are you trustworthy, do you stick with friends through thick and thin, do you support and protect your friends, do you keep your friends for a long time or switch friends frequently, etc.)? How well do you follow the school rules and show your tiger pride?

1. Describe your personality: ______________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ 2. How would your friends describe you? ______________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

Learning Preferences 1. What is/are your preferred style(s) of learning? In other words, how do you learn best (examples include listening to lectures or stories, seeing visuals, working with your hands, incorporating music in your learning, working alone, working in groups, etc)? __________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________