What Can You Accomplish?

State policy makers are continuously working to identify ways to establish and strengthen high school graduation requirements. Nationally, approximately 20 states have enacted policies that mandate high school students establish individualized learning plans (ILPs). In addition to the ILPs, some states have added graduation policies that align with Career Pathways as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education and include identification of post-secondary plans or aspirations. For the purposes of this study:



An Individualized Learning Plan is a strategic planning tool which assists students in course selections and provides opportunities for coordinated learning experiences, including career development and career exploration activities intended to help them identify and achieve post-secondary goals.



The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) has received funding from the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) to study “promising practices” associated with the implementation of ILPs. This research project is being conducted by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth which includes IEL, the Center on Education and Work at the University of Wisconsin, and the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota



After reviewing individual learning plan policies throughout the United States and in your state, your school has been selected as a potential participant in our evaluation study. Your district’s education leaders have identified your school as having enacted innovative ILP strategies, including a strong focus on career preparation and development.



Overall, our goal is to:

  1. Identify schools that are successfully implementing ILP policies;
  2. Identify effective strategies for integrating IEPs and ILPs;
  3. Study and assess whether successful implementation of ILPs improves student outcomes and readiness for making post-high school transitions, especially for students with disabilities; and
  4. Provide professional development, technical assistance, and a $10,000/year stipend to support the school’s continued efforts in helping students develop quality ILPs. will be placed on increasing team members’ capacity to strengthen individualized learning plans, as well as improving academic outcomes for your student body.