§ 941. Flexible Pathways Initiative

(a) There is created within the Agency a Flexible Pathways Initiative:

(1) 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;

(2) to promote opportunities for Vermont students to achieve postsecondary readiness through high-quality educational experiences that acknowledge individual goals, learning styles, and abilities; and

(3) to increase the rates of secondary school completion and postsecondary continuation in Vermont.

(b) The Secretary shall develop, publish, and regularly update guidance, in the form of technical assistance, sharing of best practices and model documents, legal interpretations, and other support designed to assist school districts:

(1) to identify and support secondary students who require additional assistance to succeed in school and to identify ways in which individual students would benefit from flexible pathways to graduation;

(2) to work with every student in grade 7 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; and

(D) is documented by a personalized learning plan;

(3) to 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

(C) include:

(i) applied or work-based learning opportunities, including career and career technical education and internships;

(ii) virtual learning and blended learning;

(iii) dual enrollment opportunities as set forth in section 944 of this title:

(iv) early college programs as set forth in subsection 4011(e) of this title;

(v) the High School Completion Program as set forth in section 943 of this title; and

(vi) the Adult Diploma Program and General Educational Development Program as set forth in section 945 of this title; and

(4) to provide students, beginning no later than in grade 7, with career development and postsecondary planning resources to ensure that they are able to take full advantage of the opportunities available within the flexible pathways to graduation and to achieve their career and postsecondary education and training goals.

(c) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as discouraging or limiting the authority of any school district to develop or continue to provide educational opportunities for its students that are otherwise permitted, including the provision of Advanced Placement courses.

(d) An individual entitlement or private right of action shall not arise from creation of a personalized learning plan. (Added 2013, No. 77, § 1; amended 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 302, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)